UK telephone exchange · Openreach stop-sell tracker
Portaferry telephone exchange
Portaferry serves Newtownards and carries the Openreach exchange code NIPT. Copper stop-sell restrictions have been in force here since 16 February 2024 (Tranche 11).
Stop-sell status
In force
since 16 February 2024
Exchange code
NIPT
Tranche 11
Analogue switch-off (national)
31 Jan 2027
PSTN retirement — every UK exchange
What this means if you’re on the Portaferry exchange
Openreach places an exchange on the FTTP priority list once full fibre reaches roughly 75% of the premises it serves. From the restriction date, any premises here that can order full fibre can no longer take out new copper services — analogue phone lines, FTTC broadband, working-line takeovers. Nothing is switched off on that date: existing lines keep working until your provider migrates you ahead of the national PSTN retirement on 31 January 2027.
When migration happens your number stays the same — local landlines here use the 01686 dialling code for Newtown, which is unaffected by the switch-off. If a call from an unfamiliar local number is what brought you here, run it through the lookup to see the Ofcom range holder and live reputation reports.
Nearby exchanges
- BallygowanNewtownards · NIBN9 November 2023
- BallywalterNewtownards · NIBWR29 April 2022
- ComberNewtownards · NICR25 January 2022
- GreyabbeyNewtownards · NIGY2 August 2022
- KircubbinNewtownards · NIKN8 February 2023
- MillisleNewtownards · NIME2 August 2022
- NewtownardsNewtownards · NINTS13 October 2021
- PortavogieNewtownards · NIPVE25 January 2022
Related lookups
FAQs about the Portaferry exchange
Is the Portaferry telephone exchange closing?
Portaferry (code NIPT) is on Openreach's FTTP priority stop-sell list — copper sales restrictions have applied since 16 February 2024. The building isn't shutting yet, but analogue (PSTN) service ends nationally on 31 January 2027, and premises with full fibre available here can no longer order new copper products.
What does stop sell at Portaferry mean for my landline?
Existing services keep working — stop sell only blocks new supply of copper products (new analogue lines, copper broadband, transfers between providers on copper) at premises where full fibre is available. When your provider migrates you, your phone number stays the same and calls move to digital voice over broadband.
Which numbers come from the Portaferry exchange?
Portaferry serves the Newtown area, where landlines use the 01686 dialling code. Bear in mind UK numbers are portable, so a 01686 number no longer proves a physical line on this exchange — use the lookup to check any specific number.
Source: Openreach FTTP Priority Exchange stop-sell ancillary document (© British Telecommunications plc), republished as facts with attribution. Dates reflect the most recent published document revision; always confirm migration plans with your own provider.