Your guide to TalkTalk broadband packages
Dan Howdle
The UK has one of the most competitive broadband markets in Europe, giving customers a wide variety of providers to choose from. TalkTalk is one of the better-known providers in the UK, along with big names like BT, Sky and Virgin Media. Here are some advantages to choosing TalkTalk:
Key features
Low prices –
The main reason to consider TalkTalk is that it’s usually relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors, especially compared to BT. If you’re looking for the cheapest broadband prices or have a limited budget, TalkTalk is a great place to begin your search.
Fast, unlimited fibre and Full Fibre broadband –
TalkTalk offers regular superfast Fibre averaging up to 67Mbps, and Full Fibre for those living somewhere they're lucky enough to get it of up to 944Mbps.
Bundle your services –
TalkTalk gives you the option of building your broadband and TV package your way. Having the choice to add on certain features, called Boosts, means you’re not shelling out for channels you won’t watch. They also offer all the Sky Sports and Sky Cinema channels via NOW TV, so film nuts and sports fanatics can get their fill as well. TalkTalk has also recently upgraded its TV set-top box to a slim, sleek 4K-capable streaming deck called the TalkTalk TV Hub. Incredibly, you can get this for as little as £5 per month.
Easy to set up –
Joining TalkTalk is easy, and once you’ve signed up, they aim to get everything up and running quickly. Your actual activation date will depend on whether your existing line can be used or if your service requires a new line installation. Once your line is ready, you just need to connect your router. Simply plug it in, switch it on and away you go.
Equipment –
If TalkTalk can use your existing phone line, your activation date will be approximately 15 days after you placed your order. You'll receive your router in the post shortly before your services are due to be activated. For new line installations, your activation date will depend on the date you have chosen for your engineer visit. TalkTalk have their own powerful Wi-Fi Hub Black router for most broadband plans and the new Amazon eero 6 router as standard with their Future Fibre plan.
Customer service and support –
TalkTalk’s online Service Centre allows users to run quick tests to check your current internet connection, find out if any incidents are affecting services in your local area, and to receive SMS text updates on service impacting incidents.
TalkTalk had been criticised for its customer service in recent years, with customers reporting badly informed call centre advisors and problems left unresolved for long periods. Recently, however, there has been considerable improvement. Ofcom's latest customer service report puts TalkTalk mid-table when it comes to number of complaints about its broadband service (less than half as many complaints as Virgin Media), and TalkTalk takes the number one spot for fewest complaints concerning its TV service.
TalkTalk prides itself on its community – an online forum that is free to join where customers can ask questions about anything and get answers from other members, as well as having the opportunity to join live Q&A sessions, receive service status updates and report scams. The community offers access to hundreds of help articles and the forum is accessible at any time all throughout the year. If you’re unable to find an answer, you can post your question to one of their thousands of active members day or night.
You can also get support with the My TalkTalk App, using their live chat or by phone.
Security –
TalkTalk offers HomeSafe and KidSafe security and both are included with all of their broadband packages. HomeSafe is a family-friendly web filter for your home Wi-Fi, blocking inappropriate content (KidSafe), as well as sites that could harbour malware (Virus Alerts), for any device that’s connecting to it. It’s free, there’s nothing to download, and you just activate it in My Account. These services mean your youngsters can explore the connected world safely, giving you peace of mind.
All TalkTalk Wi-Fi Hubs automatically use WPA2 security settings, which is the safest, most secure wireless protection.
SuperSafe protects a specific device wherever it’s online, fighting viruses that try to infect your devices and securing your banking and shopping. It’s software you download onto any mobile, tablet or computer.
Compare TalkTalk broadband
TalkTalk broadband packages
TalkTalk Fibre 35
With an average download speed of 38Mbps, TalkTalk's entry-level speed is comparable to BT Fibre Essential, as well as the entry-level speed offered by most other broadband providers. This speed is ideal for smaller households with two or three devices that are used for streaming and downloading separately.
Fibre 35 is widely available across the UK, and operates on the Openreach network used by many other providers (apart from Virgin Media) to supply their standard fibre broadband connections. It’s an affordable option and if you decide you need more speed, you can easily upgrade to Fibre 65.
TalkTalk Fibre 65 broadband
As mentioned, Fibre 65 is the next option up from the entry-level Fibre 35. With an average download speed of 67Mbps, it is a healthy speed ideal for supporting a modest household with several devices connected at once, from smartphones to games consoles. The dual-band Wi-Fi Hub Black router will keep your devices connected without issue and has four ethernet ports for wired connections.
The average 20Mbps upload speed will come in handy for video calls, gamers and anyone who regularly uploads data to the web, be it photos or other documents. It costs just an extra couple of quid more than Fibre 35, which may make it an appealing option for many people looking for peace of mind when it comes to getting a broadband service that can cope with your needs.
TalkTalk Full Fibre 150
For busy households with more than ten devices online, one of TalkTalk’s 150Mbps services is the perfect solution. TalkTalk offers two different services at this speed, dependent on which technology is available in your area. Both offer almost identical download speeds, with the Full Fibre option offering an average download speed of 147Mbps and the Ultrafast option coming with 145Mbps average download speed.
Customers wanting a phone line should be aware that the Full Fibre 150 option is a data-only connection and comes with TalkTalk’s latest router, the Amazon eero 6 router. The Ultrafast 150 connection does come with a phone line however, and is supplied with the Wi-Fi Hub router. There is the option to bolt on anytime UK or international class to the Ultrafast 150 if required. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the Ultrafast 150 package is the only TalkTalk broadband service to come on a 24-month contract rather than an 18-month contract.
TalkTalk Full Fibre 500
If you have a household of 15 to 20 devices or more, including smart tech such as voice assistants, a Ring doorbell, smart curtains or blinds, you will benefit from having one of TalkTalk’s top two fastest internet connections. Many of these home smart tech items are constantly connected to your internet and will require support as well as the more obvious activities such as streaming, gaming, downloading and general surfing.
With an accompanying upload speed of 69Mbps, the Fibre 500 connection is ideal for modern, big households with several devices all being used at once. It is a data-only service, so is not suitable for anyone wanting a landline. It is supplied with the Amazon eero Pro 6 mesh system with Tri-Band Wi-Fi that provides ultimate speed and coverage around your home.
TalkTalk Full Fibre 900
For households wanting the fastest possible option, Fibre 900 is the way to go. With download speeds averaging 920Mbps and an average upload speed of 105Mbps, Fibre 900 is TalkTalk’s premium internet service. It will support anything you care to throw at it, from multiple 4K movie streaming to huge downloads and multiple people and devices online at once. It will enable you to download a 70GB file in just under ten minutes, meaning no more waiting around before you can start gaming.
However, like Fibre 500, Fibre 900 is a data-only service without a phone line. If you really want an alternative to your mobile phone, you can choose to have a VoIP handset connected to your line, whereby your calls are routed via the internet.
Broadband speeds and pricing
TalkTalk offers a range of broadband packages from fast fibre to budget standard broadband. Here's our comparison of the different packages:
Types of broadband
If you’re looking to save even more money, bundling your services is a good way to go about it. There are potentially four separate services you can expect to see in a bundle, depending on what you choose.
TV, broadband and phone
TalkTalk offers fast broadband speeds and some good TV options. You can save money by grouping TV and broadband services together. All TalkTalk broadband packages, including bundles, come with a pay-as-you-go landline, but you can upgrade this to a free calling package of your choice at extra cost. All plans include Callsafe, TalkTalk’s free call screening service. It lets you pick up the phone with complete peace of mind every time. No scammers, no sales pitches, and no time wasted.
Broadband and TV
TalkTalk TV offers thousands of hours of the latest and best TV, yours to explore at the touch of a button. Browse more than 80 of the nation's favourite Freeview channels, with the option to add streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime and NOW TV, depending on what you like to watch.
TalkTalk used to offer their own TV Boosts so customers could customise their channels, but now they offer an alternative service with NOW TV where you can stream the latest Sky TV, movies and sport with no contract when you register for membership.
Broadband and home phone
All TalkTalk broadband packages require a landline. If you don't have a suitable phone line, they'll arrange for an engineer to install one for you when you place your order. The details about your plan and activation date can be found in your welcome pack. You have the option to not use the landline, but there is no way around the installation of it.
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Switching to TalkTalk
Switching is easy and hassle-free with TalkTalk. Simply choose the deal that is best for you, TalkTalk will tell your current provider you're switching and take care of getting you connected.
How long does it take to switch?
TalkTalk broadband installation takes around two weeks from the time you sign up. It's recommended to wait until your service activation date before setting up your router, as you'll obviously have no service provision before then.
Contract lengths
TalkTalk broadband contracts tend to be 18 months. If you're in the middle of the contract period you'll have to pay a cancellation fee for ending it early.
Availability and coverage
TalkTalk offers its services over the Openreach network, so you can expect similar coverage to that offered by BT, EE and Sky, all of which also run on Openreach. The major exception to this is Virgin Media, which runs on its own, separate network. TalkTalk still offers a standard, ADSL broadband service for anyone that cannot get fibre, but with its fibre services now available to 95% of the country, the vast majority of people should be able to get a decent fibre speed at their address.
TalkTalk also offers ultrafast broadband services, ranging in speed from 150Mbps to 944Mbps, but these speeds are not as widely available as regular fibre. The broadband checker will tell you what sort of speeds you can expect to get from TalkTalk broadband at your address.
