Broadband Providers

TalkTalk Broadband

Updated: Wednesday 09 November, 2011

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

TalkTalk Broadband (www.TalkTalk.co.uk) was the first provider to offer “free broadband”, using its local loop unbundled network to offer very cheap broadband. Call TalkTalk free on 0800 049 7843 to switch today.
Read the full TalkTalk Broadband review

TalkTalk Broadband deals

TalkTalk phone number

About TalkTalk Broadband

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 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.

The TalkTalk Broadband service

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 two great value bundles with cheap calls: TalkTalk Essentials and TalkTalk Plus.

TalkTalk Essentials (www.TalkTalk.co.uk/Essentials) offers fast speeds of up to 24Mb broadband and a generous 40GB download allowance. Speeds of up to 24Mb allow you to make the most of the internet with reliable BBC iPlayer and YouTube connections. And its large download allowance should be more than you need, even if you download films, TV shows and music on a regular basis. If you want to, you can even double your download allowance to 80GB by buying one of TalkTalk’s Boosts.

TalkTalk Plus (www.TalkTalk.co.uk/Plus) also comes with speeds up to 24Mb and “unlimited broadband” downloads, subject to a fair usage policy - perfect if you have a large family with multiple PCs all competing for bandwidth.

You can find out how TalkTalk customers rated their broadband service on our TalkTalk reviews section.

TalkTalk Broadband benefits

The main draw of TalkTalk (www.TalkTalk.co.uk) for many customers is its price. 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 £2 a month, on a month by month basis - so you only have to pay when you need them.

• Broadband Boosts include the Mega Download Boost which doubles your download allowance to 80GB and the Super Safe Boost which offers award-winning protection for up to three PCs.
• Telephone Boosts are also available to add features such as call waiting, ringback and call divert, the UK's best value landline to mobile calls, 500 minutes of international calls or a Boost to upgrade your package to anytime landline calls.

Its Plus package (www.TalkTalk.co.uk/Plus) is perfect for customers who want these high-end options all the time, and also comes with anytime home phone calls.

TalkTalk Broadband awards & accreditations

• Highly commended - Value for money (bundled providers) Broadbandchoices Awards 2011
• Winner - Value for Money, Clarity of Pricing & Billing categories - Broadbandchoices.co.uk 2010 Customer Satisfaction Survey (bundled services)
• Highly commended - Overall customer satisfaction (bundled services)
• Highly commended - Value for money, Clarity of pricing and billing categories (bundled services)
• Winner - Value for Money - Broadbandchoices.co.uk 2009 Customer Satisfaction Survey (Bundled services)
• Winner - Ease to Interpret Bill - uSwitch Broadband awards 2009
• Best Value Broadband - Top 10 Broadband awards 2008

Our expert’s verdict

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.”