BT and Sky internet warning to customers over major change for certain postcodes

BT is set to roll out changes to certain postcodes in the coming year, it has been announced. Openreach, which installs and supplies internet access across Britain, has confirmed that it no longer wants to offer internet service providers such as BT, Sky and TalkTalk the option to serve homes with copper connectivity which simply can’t keep pace with today’s digital needs.

As a result, customers will be moved to faster internet speeds. The firm has said that from 2024, 119 new locations will no longer have the option to buy plans that are not using that better connectivity, according to the Mirror.

This applies to anyone who’s signing up for a new contract, whether they’re switching, upgrading or re-grading their service. It’s good news for speed and reliability although it’s worth noting that switching to fibre can mean new cables have to be drilled through your walls and upgrading to better downloads can be more expensive.

Read more: British Gas and E.on Next customers urged to check their accounts as fixed tariffs return

For example, Sky has a deal which offers basic speeds for just £17 for the rest of the year but those wanting 900Mbps downloads need to pay £56 per month – that’s almost £40 more.

Along with revealing the news about the switchover, Openreach has also listed all of the locations that will be hit by the changes and it also has its postcode checker which shows if full fibre is available in your street.

In the Midlands this includes Stratford-upon-Avon, Rugeley, Uttoxeter, Malvern, Leek, Market Drayton, Brownhills, Worcester and Sedgley.

Here’s the full list of places that are stopping copper connections from next year:

East Dean • Blundeston • Colwyn Bay • Cowfold • Kilsyth • Larbert • Denton • Chester Le Street • Milnthorpe • Feltham • Hitchin • Lancaster • Chertsey • Sevenoaks • Chapel St Leonards • Bayston Hill • Mountain Ash • Stretham • Driffield • Mold • Rugeley

Llanrwst • Fencehouses • Thorne • Irthlingborough • Penn • Rotherham • Pwllheli • St Marychurch • Rotherham North • Minehead • Aberkenfig • Tillicoultry • Stratford on Avon • Southerndown • Topsham • Risca • Llanelli • Mercury • Chepstow • Freckleton • Cross Hills

Gainsborough • Uttoxeter • Great Wakering • Malvern • Stonehouse • Hesketh Bank • Matlock • Holyhead • Senghenydd • Ynysddu • Billingshurst • Leek • Kennoway • Budleigh Salterton • Faversham • Crowborough • Goole • Hawkinge • Caerphilly • Mogador • Chessington • Widnes • Newton -Le -Willows • Victoria • Honley • Holmfirth • Holland on Sea • Friday Bridge • Ashton On Ribble • Stalybridge • Upholland • Droylsden • Swadlincote • Kendal

Shaw • Simonswood • Altrincham • Knottingley • Blackwood • Ebbw Vale • Maesteg • Newport Savoy • Newton Llantwit • Criccieth • Market Drayton • Whitchurch • Kidbrooke • Brownhills • Worcester Central • Bolton • Worcester Park • Winton • Finedon • Mottram • Sedgley • Wakefield • Aintree • North Weald

Mouswald • Marrburn • Eddleston • Alloa • Fiveways • Dalry(Ayr) • Old Colwyn • Penmaenmawr • Jesmond • Alnwick • Benwick • Calvine • Long Sutton • Warninglid • Saddleworth • Blaenau Ffestiniog • Stoneygate • Poynings • Privett • Macclesfield

Read more:

Sign up to our money saving newsletter, for the latest on how to save pennies and pounds.