Updated: Tuesday 04 January, 2011
By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk
Tiscali Broadband is now owned by TalkTalk Broadband (www.Talktalk.co.uk), and no longer accepts new customers. Call TalkTalk free on 0800 049 7843 to switch today. Read the full TalkTalk Broadband review
| 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 |
TalkTalk pioneered the “free broadband” movement, revolutionising the market with its cheap broadband packages. Today TalkTalk no longer offers “free broadband” but remains one of the cheapest ISPs on the market.
TalkTalk (www.Talktalk.co.uk) is a bundling provider, with its own local loop unbundled (LLU) network that allows it to offer some of the cheapest broadband deals around as well as a Plus package that offers superfast speeds and high download allowances.
TalkTalk also offers cheap home phone packages and its own line rental.
TalkTalk business broadband is delivered to thousands of businesses through Opal, a division of The TalkTalk Group plc.
Although TalkTalk faced some teething problems when it first launched its “free broadband” offer, it has since injected millions of pounds into its customer services and massively improved its reputation.
Despite no longer offering “free broadband”, TalkTalk is still one of the cheapest providers around, offering great value bundles with cheap calls.
TalkTalk currently offers two broadband packages, one which comes with speeds of up to 8Mb, a 40GB monthly download allowance and a free wireless router. However, you can increase your speed to up to 24Mb , a 40GB monthly download allowance and a free wireless router, and a second Plus package, designed for high end users with speeds of up to 24Mb and an "unlimited broadband" download allowance, subject to a fair usage policy.
However, customers on the cheaper Essentials package can still increase their speed to 24Mb and double download allowances to 80GB by buying one of TalkTalk’s Boosts.
The main draw of TalkTalk for many customers is obviously its price - you can get broadband and line rental with calls included for less than £19.30 a month. However, the ISP also offers added extras on its broadband.
TalkTalk offers a selection of Boosts that can be added to your Essentials package from £1.99 a month, on a month by month basis - so you only have to pay when you need them.
Broadband Boosts include the Turbo Boost which increases your broadband speed to the fastest that your line can handle, the Mega Download Boost which doubles your download allowance to 80GB and the Super Secure Boost which offers F-Secure protection for up to three PCs.
Three telephone Boosts are also available to add features such as call waiting, ringback and call divert, half price calls to mobile phones or a Boost to upgrade your package to anytime landline calls.
Its Plus package is perfect for customers who want these high-end options all the time, and also comes with anytime home phone calls.
You can find out how TalkTalk customers rated their broadband service on our TalkTalk customer reviews page.
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Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, said: “TalkTalk (www.Talktalk.co.uk) is a great choice for anyone who needs broadband and a home phone on a budget as it represents very good value for money - its Essentials package is perfect for families who need to keep an eye on their finances while its Plus package is great for high-end users and heavy downloaders who want superfast broadband speeds.
“TalkTalk’s low call costs also make it a good option for heavy home phone users who will be able to make big savings compared to some of its rivals, and its Boosts make it a flexible choice for broadband and home phone users.”