national copper switch off

[DojjyRog]

All copper networks will close by Jan 31st 2027, so we must have fibre to the home to continue with broadband, and a landline if used. Sky appears to be using this to raise prices (at least for me), although OpenReach will do the physical work. To date, Sky have not contacted me regarding the changeover. Has anyone been contacted by Sky to warn them of the upcoming switchover? Have any users been told that their prices will increase from Jan 31st?

[Deb3000]

Not true at all.

There is no national switch off in January.  What is happening is that the old PSTN phone system is being retired.  Copper will continue to be used for broadband until something like 2040.  However, if you want to continue with a phone and Sky broadband you will need to move the phone service to a digital service delivered as part of the broadband, be it copper or fibre.  The days of having phone from one provider and broadband from another will be over.  Both must come from the same provider.  (Unless you want a separate VoIP service).  The potential problem is that Sky do not have the equipment to deliver phone over copper based broadband in all exchanges.

[arthur64]

Yes, I was contacted back in early August stating that I need to upgrade 'urgently' and 'take action' to a part fibre/hybrid line asap as if i didnt i would likely lose my phone and broadband services at some point in the future although not specified.. The email invited me to click a link to upgrade foc. The email link took me knowhere as have about 15 calls to Sky since. I have an ongoing complaint regarding this issue, but unfortunately Sky dont seem to be able to move me over to a SoGEA or hybrid line, i am just constantly fobbed off and told to wait. I keep asking when my services will be terminated (as hinted at in the e-mail) and they cant answer that either. If i go onSky's website without logging in they are able to offer me a part fibre line at my address on a 2 year contract for £24.99 per month, so not exactly sure what the problem is, as Sky certainly dont know. My future bill for broadband jumps up to £50 per month from October for some unknown reason (Sky cant answer why either), so if its not sorted by then I will be moving on (I am not in a broadband contract at present). Absolute chaos springs to mind.

[TimmyBGood]

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@DojjyRog wrote:

All copper networks will close by Jan 31st 2027,

As noted above, that's absolutely not the case.  Given the commercial rollout of FTTP will have reached about 85% of addresses at best by then, doing so would disconnect several million households, which aside from economic considerations would be politically unacceptable.

so we must have fibre to the home to continue with broadband, and a landline if used. 

While PSTN (analogue telephone) will cease on January 31st 2027, copper circuits will continue to carry broadband plus a digital  voice service for years to come.  However, in some areas Sky cannot provide voice over FTTC, and in the absence of FTTP subscribers will need to switch provider.

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[Deb3000]

You’re not a business customer by any chance, are you?  The reason I ask is because Openreach have been really pushy with businesses and progressively bumping up the line cost, (which, of course, Sky has to pass on), to encourage businesses to get a move on.

[DojjyRog]

No, just a sad and lonely old pensioner with nothing else to do! I've engaged with Sky, and they a treading a fine line regarding the OFCOM strictures. They are clearly using the PSTN closure (which is certain to happen on 31/01/27) to jack up broadband prices. Everyone in Sky is tweaked up to selling the new and more expensive packages. I have now decided to wait until Christmas for them to contact me, but the Openreach engineers are going to be really busy over the next 5 months installing ONTs.

[Deb3000]

Sad and lonely old pensioner myself, mate.  Lot of us about.

You could always change provider.  You'd be surprised what prices you get offered if you make it clear you're moving.

[Deb3000]

@DojjyRog   And you may find this morning's article interesting:

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2026/09/ofcom-change-openreachs-uk-full-fibre-threshold-for-co...

[DojjyRog]

Deb3000: thanks for the detail, and very interesting it is. I understand that we consumers in E Sussex will still lose our copper connection at the end of Jan 2027. Sky operatives insist that therafter their cheapest packge will be £41, sompared with my current £29. Most providers are offering between £26 - £30 for full fibre, INCLUDING SKY! They are forcing me to ditch them, although they are advertsing new FF packages at less than my current monthly charge.😏