Broadband News
Tiscali closes to new customers as TalkTalk migration begins
Thursday, 7 January 2010
By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
Broadband and home phone bundle provider Tiscali, which was bought by telecoms giant TalkTalk Broadband (www.Talktalk.co.uk) last year has stopped taking on new customers.
From today, the internet service provider will be rebranded under the TalkTalk brand, and will not accept new customers. TalkTalk will also begin migrating Tiscali customers to its own network from today.
| Tiscali customers locked into a home phone contract will have to pay an extra £5 a month for their broadband |
TalkTalk assured customers that it would be making a series of product and service improvements, when it bought Tiscali in May 2009. However, it was revealed last month that Tiscali customers could be left £60 out of pocket if they didn’t, or couldn’t, switch their services to TalkTalk once it begins migrating customers to its own network.
Customers who are currently taking a broadband-only package from Tiscali for £14.99 a month will have the option to switch to a TalkTalk broadband and home phone bundle at no extra cost.
However, Mark Schmid, TalkTalk communications director, said: “We are a phone and broadband company and offer the best deals on this basis; if customers don’t want to take calls from us and wish to remain broadband-only, the price will increase to £19.99.”
Charles Dunstone, chief executive of TalkTalk’s parent company Carphone Warehouse, said: “We want to make it very clear that being part of TalkTalk is much more than just having a different logo on the top of your bill. For that reason we’ve reviewed all of the pricing tariffs.We can say from today that if you’re with TalkTalk you’re getting the same value as your fellow customers.
“For many of our customers this will mean a reduction in their monthly bills, others will see no change, with the remainder getting a small increase.”
Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, said: “While TalkTalk does offer great value for money, any Tiscali customers who are locked into a home phone contract with a different provider will have to pay an extra £5 a month for their broadband.
“If you are free of a contract and don’t want to switch broadband provider to TalkTalk, compare broadband packages using our comparison service to find the right deal to suit your needs,” he advised.
Compare TalkTalk packages
| Supplier | Speed (up to) | Usage limit | Contract length | Monthly charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadband + Phone - Essentials | 24Mb | 40GB | 12 months | £3.25 | Call TalkTalk on 0800 049 7843 |
| Broadband + Phone - Plus | 24Mb | Unlimited | 12 months | £7.25 | Call TalkTalk on 0800 049 7843 |
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