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Network access provider Openreach (BT) has revealed to broadband ISPs that they will begin the next phase of their UK exchange closure programme in Q3 2025/26 (i.e. roughly this time next year), which will impact a further 12 exchanges. This follows their initial closure pilot with 3 exchanges (Deddington, Ballyclare and Kenton Road), which has nearly completed.
The operator currently has around 5,600 UK exchanges, but only c. 1,000 of those are used to provide nationwide coverage of modern “fibre broadband” based services (FTTC, FTTP etc.) – the Openreach Handover Points (OHPs). However, the rollout of full fibre (FTTP), combined with the retirement of copper lines and legacy services (ADSL, WLR etc.), will make it economically unviable to support both the old and new exchanges.
The operator thus has a long-term plan for closing the other 4,600 exchanges – known as the Exchange Exit Programme, which starts with their initial pilot of 3 exchanges (see above) and then extends to a closure of 105 “priority exchanges” by 2030 (i.e. taking place in 4 phases over the next 5 years), with the rest gradually following through the early 2030s.
Openreach has now confirmed (credits to Thinkbroadband) that the next 12 exchanges to begin the exit process will include the following sites from Q3 2025/26. In theory, all of these sites should then reach their Network Closure point by April 2028 and be completely closed by September 2028. Openreach has in fact also revealed details of all the Phases for their initial batch of 108 exchange closures – here (Excel sheet).
Phase 1 – Exchange Exit Programme
Staines
Thames Ditton
Baynard
Wraysbury
Nazeing
Langford
Allestree Park
Beacon
Childwall
Lundin Links
Carrickfergus
Glengormley
Take note that closing an exchange and migrating affected customers is a highly complex process, which typically takes around 4-7 years (varying by the complexity of each exchange) – starting with a Stop Sell of old products and eventually ending with everything being switched off (Openreach and ISPs then remove their physical equipment over the remaining months to ultimately vacate the building).
The other phases are currently dated as follows, but these timings should perhaps be considered tentative (subject to change).
Phase 2 (Closure by April 2029)
WEWBLO Howland Street LSWAN Wandsworth CLMON Monument LNLVY Lea Valley WEWNPN North Paddington WRPIM Pimlico LWUXB Uxbridge LNEDM Edmonton EAGRA Grays Thurrock CLNEW New Cross LSWOO Woolwich NDMED Chatham WSMOT Motherwell SDWTHDN Brighton Withdean LSSUN Sunbury WMHX Headless Cross CLSOU Southwark MRBRA Bramhall SLDCN Doncaster North WRKGDN Kensington Garden
Phase 3 (Closure by April 2030)
SWPN Pontypridd CLHOL Holborn WEWMAY Mayfair LWWEM Wembley CLWAP Wapping CMMLD Midland LSPUR Purley WEWPAD Paddington ESCRA Edinburgh Craiglockhart SSLON Long Ashton LSMOG Mogador WRSKEN South Kensington CLSHO Shoreditch LWPIN Pinner LSWEY Weybridge LWSKY Skyport THAD Aldershot LNCED Crouch End LSSTR Streatham EMSOSHM Somersham LWCHI Chiswick LNSTF Stratford LSCTHM Caterham LSESH Esher LNFIN Finchley WMWR Worcester LSFARB Farnborough; Kent LSNCHM North Cheam WEWBAY Bayswater EAHTF Hertford WEWPRI Primrose Hill
Phase 4 (Closure by Dec 2030)
LVCEN Liverpool Central LSBKM Bookham THHN Headley Down EARDH Ramsden Heath CMDD Dudley; West Midlands WWSOME Somerton LVGAT Gateacre EABRI Brightlingsea EACHF Chafford LWHARR Harrow WSPRO Glasgow Provanmill NDNEI Newick SMHGN Holmer Green CMWDGT Woodgate SMLEA Leagrave WWMSMT Mawnan Smith NESU Sunderland SLHX Haxey LWHOU Hounslow MRCHI Chinley LSRIC Richmond Kew; Surrey SSSHM Shepton Mallet SDBRCKL Bracklesham Bay WWWBAY Widemouth MYRPP Ripponden EAWRI Writtle WNM Mold SSSOF Stratton On The Fosse THIP Iver LVAUG Aughton Green LSBET Betchworth SDWSWND Worthing Swandean CMKNO Knowle THBW Blackwater EMCOGEN Cogenhoe NDGUE Guestling NDOTF Otford LWCHO Chorleywood WWCHEL Chelston MYADD Addingham NDSHO Shorne LSKIN KINGSTON SSC (Taverner House)
Check out the full excel sheet, as linked earlier, for extra details on each.