If this were true, operators of existing aircraft not so equipped would need to have an 8.33 Khz radio in the knowledge that it will be redundant 9 months later. I can't imagine anyone willing to do that.
It is a fact that the LHR departure ATIS has been only available on an 8.33 Khz frequency for some time already. We have to ask "Clearance Delivery" to read it to us before start, probably to the annoyance and inconvenience of other operators on the frequency.