Residents in Canberra's north have been urged to sign up to the National Broadband Network or risk losing communication services, as the copper network switch-off begins.

From today NBN Co will start retiring the old copper network in stages, starting with the Gungahlin town centre.

It is part of a staged switch-over for about 2,500 homes and businesses across Gungahlin in coming months.

But about 100 properties have not signed up for the NBN.

Darren Rudd from NBN Co said those businesses and residents could face losing phone, internet, medical and security alarms and eftpos services.

"Anything going through a landline essentially will need to move over to the NBN," he said.

"All that requires is to place an order and even if we can't come out and do the physical install, provided that order's in the system with one of the many retail service providers ... you won't be cut off, the service will still continue until such time as we switch you over."

Mr Rudd said the new service had been well received in the ACT.

"It's probably one of the steepest take-up rates we've had," he said.

NBN Co said it was taking about two weeks on average to fill orders for the NBN in Gungahlin and extra staff were helping to meet the demand.

Sorry, this video has expired Residents warned NBN switch is coming ( Kathleen Dyett )

Gungahlin Community Council president Ewan Brown said the local community had been anticipating the changeover.

"We all wanted super-fast broadband, we'd been hearing about the benefits for years and years," he said.

"In fact many people moved out here to get it."

There has been a community awareness campaign ahead of the changeover from both NBN Co and providers.

Telstra area general manager Larissa Redford said the company had been in regular contact with customers via letters, phone calls, home visits and through a range of community information sessions.

"In all we've contacted residential customers up to 20 different times," she said.

"We feel people are well informed."