uSwitch.com broadband news April 2006

TalkTalk have become the first company in the UK to offer a ‘free’ broadband package. Customers who sign up to the Talk 3 International Plan, will pay £9.99 for their calls and £11 for their line rental totalling £20.99 per month. Customers will be tied into an 18 month contract and have to pay a set up fee of £29.99.

Talk3 International offers free calls to UK landlines at anytime, as well as free calls to 28 international destinations, including the U.S.A, Australia and France. The ‘free’ broadband will offer speeds of up to 8Mb, and a 40Gb download limit.

‘Free’ broadband is available to customers who live in areas where TalkTalk have access to Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). This means that TalkTalk have taken control of the actual telephone line and equipment from BT. TalkTalk is able to offer the Talk 3 International plan to about 70% of the UK population through LLU. Customers who do not live in a TalkTalk unbundled area can still receive the service, but will have to pay £10 per month for their broadband.

TalkTalk will begin activating ‘free’ broadband from the 1st of June this year.