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UK telephone exchange · Openreach stop-sell tracker

Houghton Le Spring (HMI) telephone exchange

Houghton Le Spring (HMI) serves Houghton-le-Spring and carries the Openreach exchange code NEHLS. Copper stop-sell restrictions have been in force here since 26 May 2025 (Tranche 16).

Stop-sell status

In force

since 26 May 2025

Exchange code

NEHLS

Tranche 16

Analogue switch-off (national)

31 Jan 2027

PSTN retirement — every UK exchange

What this means if you’re on the Houghton Le Spring (HMI) 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, and the local dialling code is unaffected — find it in the area-code index. 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.

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FAQs about the Houghton Le Spring (HMI) exchange

Is the Houghton Le Spring (HMI) telephone exchange closing?

Houghton Le Spring (HMI) (code NEHLS) is on Openreach's FTTP priority stop-sell list — copper sales restrictions have applied since 26 May 2025. 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 Houghton Le Spring (HMI) 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 Houghton Le Spring (HMI) exchange?

Exchange serving areas don't map one-to-one onto dialling codes, but local landlines will use the geographic code for Houghton-le-Spring. Use the area-code index to find it, or look up a specific number to see its Ofcom range holder.

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.