UK telephone exchange · Openreach stop-sell tracker
Whitefield telephone exchange
Whitefield serves Greater Manchester - Bury and carries the Openreach exchange code MRWHI. Copper stop-sell restrictions have been in force here since 13 October 2021 (Tranche 1b).
Stop-sell status
In force
since 13 October 2021
Exchange code
MRWHI
Tranche 1b
Analogue switch-off (national)
31 Jan 2027
PSTN retirement — every UK exchange
What this means if you’re on the Whitefield 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 0161 dialling code for Manchester, 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
- BuryGreater Manchester - Bury · MRBUR8 February 2023
- PrestwichGreater Manchester - Bury · MRPRE13 October 2021
- RadcliffeGreater Manchester - Bury · MRRAD13 October 2021
- AltrinchamGreater Manchester - Trafford · MRALT4 June 2024
- ArleyArley · MRARL13 October 2021
- BramhallGreater Manchester - Stockport · MRBRA9 November 2023
- BuxtonBuxton (High Peak) · MRBUX26 May 2025
- ChorltonGreater Manchester - Manchester · MRCHO14 February 2026
Related lookups
FAQs about the Whitefield exchange
Is the Whitefield telephone exchange closing?
Whitefield (code MRWHI) is on Openreach's FTTP priority stop-sell list — copper sales restrictions have applied since 13 October 2021. 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 Whitefield 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 Whitefield exchange?
Whitefield serves the Manchester area, where landlines use the 0161 dialling code. Bear in mind UK numbers are portable, so a 0161 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.