TalkTalk introduces cheaper ‘free broadband’ option

TalkTalk will now offer free broadband on its £5.89 per month ‘Talk2 International’ tariff.

‘Talk2 International’ includes unlimited evening and weekend calls within the UK, plus calls to 36 international destinations. Broadband (up to 8Mb) will now be included in the deal with a monthly download limit of 40GB. The total cost of the tariff comes to £16.39 a month (including £10.50 line rental) and customers must sign up for a minimum of 18 months. There is a one-off connection fee of £29.99.

Previously, free broadband was only available on TalkTalk’s ‘Talk3 International’ tariff which costs a total of £20.49 per month.

Karen Darby, founder of SimplySwitch.com, the price comparison and switching service, comments: “This is fantastic news for the consumer. TalkTalk has decided to continue its price war with BT and has introduced a great value bundle product. Previously, free broadband was only available on the more expensive ‘Talk3 International’ tariff. Customers will now receive free broadband with the ‘Talk2 International’ tariff, a deal that’s cheaper because it only includes free evening and weekend calls. Because ‘Talk2’ excludes daytime calls in favour of a lower monthly price, it will better suit the calling habits, and wallets, of thousands of UK households.”

While this new offering provides excellent value, there are a few things that customers should bear in mind. Darby continues:

“While TalkTalk’s customer service is slowly improving, it retains a poor reputation. Following a recent investment in customer service staff, TalkTalk should be able to activate a new customer’s broadband in around four weeks. However, despite the investment, a small number of customers are still reporting problems, something new customers should be aware of before signing up.

“Another thing that people should bear in mind is that TalkTalk’s free broadband offer is only available to 70% of UK households. If a customer lives outside one of TalkTalk’s ‘local loop unbundled’ areas, broadband will cost £15 per month on top of the price of the call package and line rental.

“The contract length, at 18 months, seems excessively long for the fast-changing communications sector and customers should always take into account the £30 activation fee when comparing rival tariffs.”