TalkTalk broadband key features
Here's a quick summary of the key features when considering TalkTalk broadband.
| Price from | £26.95 per month |
|---|---|
| Top download speed | 944Mbps |
| Top upload speed | 91Mbps |
| Contract length | 18 months |
| Speed guarantee | No |
| Ofcom compensation scheme | Yes (Openreach network only) |
Why choose TalkTalk broadband?
The UK has one of the most competitive broadband markets in Europe, giving customers a 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 above its competitors:
Low prices – The main reason to consider TalkTalk is that it’s usually relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors. 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 broadband – TalkTalk offers unlimited data on fibre broadband packages with ultrafast speeds up to 145Mbps average download speed. TalkTalk is also rolling out a new Future Fibre service with speeds up to 500Mbps.
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, so film nuts and sports fanatics can get their fill as well.
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 has 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 some improvement. The brand’s website also has a very good customer dashboard that can help you troubleshoot and resolve problems if your services are down.
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.
Extras – TalkTalk is a great budget-friendly broadband option for smaller households or for users with limited usage, but offers little choice if you want access to more channels or if you want flexibility with your landline calls. There are some add-ons for your home phone, TV package and mobile, but the options are limited.
Availability – TalkTalk is available everywhere. However, TalkTalk’s Future Fibre package, with up to 500Mbps is not available everywhere in the UK yet, and TalkTalk is also not yet making available its postcode data for these ultrafast packages, which means currently we cannot list them. It is unlikely you will be able to get it at this current time, but if you need to be certain we recommend calling TalkTalk directly.
How does TalkTalk broadband compare?
We've matched TalkTalk's Fibre 35 broadband packages to similar deals from other boadband providers to show how TalkTalk compares.
| Broadband package | Download speed | Upload speed | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Fab Fibre Broadband | 36Mbps | 10Mbps | £24 per month |
| Shell Energy Broadband Superfast Fibre | 38Mbps | 9.5Mbps | £21.99 per month |
| Vodafone Fibre 1 Broadband | 38Mbps | 10Mbps | £24 per month |
| Plusnet | 0Mbps | 0Mbps | £0 per month |
| Sky Superfast 35 | 36Mbps | 9Mbps | £28 per month |
| Virgin Media M125 Fibre Broadband | 132Mbps | 20Mbps | £26.50 per month |
| TalkTalk Fibre 35 | 38Mbps | 9Mbps | £28 per month |
| BT Fibre 1 | 50Mbps | 9.5Mbps | £32.99 per month |
TalkTalk broadband speeds
TalkTalk offers a range of broadband packages from fast fibre to budget standard broadband. Here's our comparison of the different packages:
| Broadband Package | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Broadband | 11Mbps | 1Mbps |
| Fibre 35 | 38Mbps | 9Mbps |
| Fibre 65 | 67Mbps | 17Mbps |
| Fibre 150 | 145Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Future Fibre 150 | 145Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Future Fibre 500 | 500Mbps | 71Mbps |
| Future Fibre 900 | 900Mbps | 91Mbps |
TalkTalk broadband bundles
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 super-fast broadband speeds and the unmissable TV you love. Save by grouping TV and broadband services, and you get unlimited UK calls for free, included with TalkTalk’s Fibre 150 and Fibre 250, or from just a few pounds per month with their other broadband plans. 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.
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.
