Liverpool has emerged as the leading major urban centre in the UK’s transition from analogue to digital phone services, with less than 20 weeks remaining before the copper network is switched off for good.

Openreach data reveals that Liverpool and its surrounding areas have successfully migrated over 93% of their legacy lines, leaving just 6.35% remaining to be upgraded before the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) shuts down at the end of January 2027.

Other top-performing cities in the transition include Manchester at just over 7% left to convert, Cardiff at 8.35%, and Leeds at 8.62%. Conversely, London trails at the bottom of the league table with approximately 13% of legacy lines still waiting to be migrated, followed by Glasgow at 10.60%.

Nationwide, Openreach estimates that around 1.5 million lines are still operating on the ageing copper-based network, including roughly 350,000 business premises. While more than 90% of legacy lines across the UK’s ten largest urban areas have already moved to digital alternatives over the past five years, officials warn that remaining migrations will likely be the most complex.

Beyond standard landlines, Openreach Director of All-IP James Lilley cautioned that many organizations overlook critical infrastructure still reliant on the old network.

Essential systems such as lift emergency diallers, fire alarm communication panels, building intercoms, automated gates, and payment terminals risk failing unless they are updated or replaced before the deadline.

To encourage faster migration, Openreach has introduced pricing incentives alongside scheduled price increases that will double legacy line rental costs.

Industry experts emphasize that consumers and businesses should act now rather than waiting until the last minute. Says Alex Tofts, strategist at Broadband Genie:

“The switch off of the legacy copper network at the end of January 2027 is one of the biggest events our broadband infrastructure will see. Progress has been made, but the industry needs to move faster.”

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