What is the Big Switch Off?
The Big Switch Off is a national project led by Openreach to retire the old copper landline network. By January 2027, all phone and broadband services in the UK will move to digital (IP-based) connections instead.
This means every customer will need to upgrade to newer broadband and phone technology to stay connected.
Why is this happening?
The copper network has served us well for decades, but it’s becoming unreliable and expensive to maintain.
The new digital network offers faster speeds, improved reliability, and future-ready technology — supporting how we use the internet and home devices today.
What does this mean for me as a Your Co-op Broadband customer?
If you currently use a copper-based broadband or landline, you’ll need to move to an upgraded digital service.
We’re making this easy by managing your upgrade for you — with no interruption to your service and minimal effort on your part.
What happens if I don’t upgrade?
If you don’t move to a digital service, your existing connection will stop working when the old copper network is switched off — this could mean losing access to your broadband, landline, and any connected devices like alarms or medical systems.
Upgrading now ensures you stay connected without any last-minute disruption.
Do I have to take part?
We’ll give you a date and handle everything for you, so there’s nothing to worry about.
However, if you prefer not to upgrade right now, you can opt out — though we don’t recommend this, as your service could be affected closer than the deadline of January 2027.
The easiest and safest option is to let us take care of the upgrade for you.
Will it cost me anything to upgrade?
In most cases, there’s no additional cost to upgrade to a digital service. We’ll confirm any details specific to your plan before your upgrade date.
Will there be any downtime or disruption?
We’ll do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible. You may experience some downtime on the day the upgrade takes place, typically this is no longer then a few hours, if at all advance.
What about my home phone or devices connected to my landline?
If you have a landline or devices such as alarms, care systems, or payment terminals connected to your phone line, it’s best to check with the manufacturer for product compatibility.
What do I need to do?
Once you receive your migration date:
1. Review the details we send.
2. Unless you opt out, we’ll go ahead and upgrade your service automatically.
3. Sit back and enjoy a faster, more reliable connection — with no fuss!
When will the switch off happen?
The copper network will be fully retired by January 2027, but upgrades are happening area by area now. The January 2027 date is the official date set by Openreach however as your service provider we are taking steps to migrate customers before this date to prevent any service disruption
How can I find out more?
You can visit our
Big Switch Off information page or contact our friendly customer support team for advice tailored to your service.
