TalkTalk to take on 500 engineers to support TV service

TalkTalk is set to recruit hundreds of engineers to support the launch of the communications and entertainment firm's new YouView television products.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding revealed the company is set to take on 500 new staff, who will visit the homes of customers who have signed up for the service.

At a cost to subscribers of £50, the engineers will ensure that broadband connections are running as efficiently as possible.

By forcing customers to wait for an appointment, TalkTalk is hoping to control the speed of the YouView launch in a bid to avoid issues related to problems with meeting demand.

Ms Harding noted this is the first time TalkTalk's engineers have visited people's homes.

"We want to make absolutely sure that they're the right people with the right manner as well as appropriate skills," she explained. "We're adopting a measured and controlled approach to ensure the launch of YouView from TalkTalk goes smoothly."

TalkTalk is the latest internet service provider to announce a recruitment drive, coming just days after BT unveiled plans to take on an extra 400 engineers at its Openreach arm.