PXC Cause Confusion with Shifting Withdrawal Dates for SMPF Broadband Lines

Network operator PlatformX Communications (PXC), which is a trading name of UK provider TalkTalk that sells wholesale solutions to ISPs and other network providers, has recently been causing some frustration among their partners. The problem began after they attempted to set an early date for the withdrawal of SMPF based broadband products (shared unbundled lines).

Unlike fully unbundled copper lines (MPF – Metallic Path Facility), where ISPs installed kit in BT’s exchanges in order to gain more control over the service (inc. pricing etc.). Shared unbundled (SMPF) lines ultimately saw BT retain some control of the line rental (i.e. voice line), albeit while still affording internet and phone providers some benefits in price/cost etc.

BT and Openreach are currently working to withdraw their old copper-based analogue phone line services (i.e. PSTN phones and Wholesale Line Rental [WLR] products), which also includes some older broadband products. Many providers are currently working to the original Dec 2025 deadline to get customers off this network, although vulnerable users are supposed to have until 31st January 2027. But it’s not always quite that simple.

The above dates also apply to any broadband product (SMPF or FTTC) provided using a WLR PSTN line. But according to ISPreview’s sources, some of PXC’s partners were recently taken aback when they were informed that the company had decided to withdraw their SMPF line products by the end of July 2025; earlier than they had been expecting.

“The issues with this are that no one is able to provide alternative ADSL [legacy copper broadband] services in some of these areas due to the Copper Stop Sell, and the WLR withdrawal due December 2025,” said one of those impacted by the change.

Providers in this boat feared they would either see their SMPF broadband products cease (i.e. customers disconnected) or have to convert to fully unbundled lines (MPF) at short notice, which is a tricky thing to do (note: MPF will eventually go the way of the dodo too). The good news is that PXC has now decided to give providers a little more time to make the change, but only a little.

Extract from PXC’s Letter

Following our previous communications in April 2024 and May 2025, we’re writing to inform you that the stop serve date for selected SMPF circuits has been extended to 30th September 2025.

We understand that some Partners have faced challenges migrating services, so to support you, we’ve extended the deadline to give you additional time to help ensure a smoother transition.

If you haven’t yet migrated your affected circuits, please ensure they are moved to MPF, SOGEA, or FTTP immediately. The stop serve date is not expected to change.

Please ensure that any vulnerable end-users, particularly those relying on telecare or similar services, are identified and contacted to confirm their devices are compatible with the new digital infrastructure ahead of any migration.

We did ask TalkTalk/PXC to comment on this a couple of times, but despite acknowledging our messages, they did not provide a response.