Telecommunications Modernisation: Connectivity Timeline

Connectivity timeline

Telecommunications infrastructure needs to be modernised in order to provide a better service to customers, and improve network security, reliability and resilience.

This means that equipment and devices utilising telecommunications networks need to be upgraded and replaced as newer, modernised connectivity solutions replace older ones.

You can find a list of the current dates for telecommunications modernisations supplied by network operators to government, including the dates for each network to be retired. Network operators may make other information available on their own websites.

If you are a business, manufacturer, supplier or consumer whose services utilise any of the below networks, you need to upgrade your services to the latest connectivity solution before the final date provided.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration

Old analogue landline technology, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being replaced by digital services which are more efficient to operate and offer improved reliability.

2G Switch-off

The UK’s mobile network operators (MNOs) are switching off 2G networks, to make way for the faster and more efficient 4G and 5G networks.

• VodafoneThree: VodafoneThree has committed to reach 99% 5G Standalone (5G SA) population coverage by 2030 and 99.96% by 2034. VodafoneThree 2G network will be switched off in spring 2030, with the service retired earlier in certain areas to test readiness and ensure a smooth transition

Exchange exit

Exchange exit is the process of closing a telephone exchange once all customers have been moved from older copper phone and broadband services to modern digital or full‑fibre networks, allowing services to be provided from other exchanges.

Exchanges: timelines

Exchanges will be closed over the next decade, starting with 108 exchanges by 2030. The first exchanges will be closed in 4 phases.

Pilot Phase

3 exchange closures:

• Ballyclare
• Deddington
• Kenton Road

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Phase 1 (By April 2028)

12 exchange closures:

• Allestree Park

• Baynard (Wood Street)

• Beacon

• Carrickfergus

• Childwall

• Glengormley

• Langford

• Lundin Links

• Nazeing

• Staines

• Thames Ditton

• Wraysbury

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Phase 2 (by April 2029)

20 exchange closures:

• Bramhall

• Brighton Withdean

• Chatham

• Doncaster North

• Edmonton

• Grays Thurrock

• Headless Cross

• Howland Street

• Kensington Garden

• Lea Valley

• Monument

• Motherwell

• New Cross

• North Paddington

• Pimlico

• Southwark

• Sunbury

• Uxbridge

• Wandsworth

• Woolwich

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Phase 3 (by April 2030)

31 exchange closures:

• Aldershot
• Bayswater
• Caterham
• Chiswick
• Crouch End
• Edinburgh Craiglockhart
• Esher
• Farnborough
• Finchley
• Hertford
• Holborn
• Kent
• Long Ashton
• Mayfair
• Midland
• Mogador
• North Cheam
• Paddington
• Pinner
• Pontypridd
• Primrose Hill
• Purley
• Shoreditch
• Skyport
• Somersham
• South Kensington
• Stratford
• Streatham
• Wapping
• Wembley
• Weybridge
• Worcester

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Phase 4 (by December 2030)

42 exchange closures:

• Addingham
• Aughton Green
• Betchworth
• Blackwater
• Bookham
• Bracklesham Bay
• Brightlingsea
• Chafford
• Chelston
• Chinley
• Chorleywood
• Cogenhoe
• Dudley; West Midlands
• Gateacre
• Glasgow Provanmill
• Guestling
• Harrow
• Haxey
• Headley Down
• Holmer Green
• Hounslow
• Iver
• Kingston SSC (Taverner House)
• Knowle
• Leagrave
• Liverpool Central
• Mawnan Smith
• Mold
• Newick
• Otford
• Ramsden Heath
• Richmond Kew; Surrey
• Ripponden
• Shepton Mallet
• Shorne
• Somerton
• Stratton On The Fosse
• Sunderland
• Widemouth
• Woodgate
• Worthing Swandean
• Writtle