Aaron Howdle | May 26th, 2023
How to cancel TalkTalk
Want to cancel your TalkTalk broadband, but worried about the hassle involved? Does the thought of 'that phone call' stress you out? Well, we've looked into the best way to leave TalkTalk with the minimum of fuss.
No broadband provider will want you to leave; they will try to keep you. But if you've had enough of TalkTalk, or if a better new deal elsewhere has caught your eye, then it’s time to make the break. We talk you through the details that make leaving TalkTalk a breeze.
Check you're out of contract
If you are still within your original TalkTalk contract, you will be charged early termination fees. The further you are away from the end of your contract, the more this will cost you, so we advise not leaving until you are one month or less away from the end of your contract. At this point you will not be charged as TalkTalk requires one month’s notice for customers who want to cancel their services.
This also applies even if you have to move house before the end of your contract and TalkTalk services aren’t available at your new address (although this is unlikely).
If you do decide to leave before your contract is up, it’s worth knowing that some providers will cover the cost of your early termination fees if you join them, by crediting your new account up to a maximum amount. This varies according to provider, but Sky advertises it will pay up to £100 credit.
So let's assume your contract has finished. Happy days, you can leave by switching broadband provider or giving TalkTalk 30 days' notice.
Choose a new provider
You can compare broadband packages with our broadband and TV package comparison tool, which will show you what's available in your area. Switching broadband should be easy, since most providers use the same network as TalkTalk. The exception is Virgin Media. Luckily its network is widely available too. You can check what you can get where you live with our postcode checker tool.
The fastest broadband speeds are found with Virgin Media, which now offers maximum download speeds of 1130Mbps with its Gig1 packages. However, thanks to the ongoing rollout of full fibre broadband by Openreach, most other provides now offer a top speed of 900Mbps. You just need to find out whether it’s reached your area yet.
Unlike the vast majority of other providers, Virgin Media operates its own network, rather than using Openreach (as used by BT, Sky, TalkTalk, EE, Plusnet and most others). This is why historically it has been able to offer far faster speeds than other providers. There are a handful of other broadband providers that also operate over their own network, such as Gigaclear and Hyperoptic, but they cater to a more niche market in most cases and are not widely available across the UK.
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Shell Energy Broadband Fast Broadband- 11Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- PAYG calls
£19.99 per month(prices may change during contract)£10.55 one-off cost18 month contract -
NOW Brilliant Broadband- 11Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- PAYG calls
£20.00 per month(prices may change during contract)£10 one-off cost12 month contract -
NOW Brilliant Broadband (1 month)
- 11Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- PAYG calls
£20.00 per month£69.99 one-off cost1 month contract
Contact TalkTalk
The easiest way to leave TalkTalk is to just switch to another provider. Your new provider will take care of cancelling your TalkTalk service and all you need to do is pay your final bill. No need for any awkward phone call.
There are three exceptions to this. First, if you intend to switch to Virgin Media, you will need to contact TalkTalk to cancel your services: this is due to the fact that Virgin operates over a separate network. If you are switching to any other provider, simply purchase your new package online and your new provider will arrange the switchover with TalkTalk for you.
Second, if you want to switch from superfast fibre to full fibre (if it is available at your address), you will also have to tell both TalkTalk and your new provider that you are switching.
Third, if you want to cancel your broadband completely without switching to a new provider, you will need to make a phone call or write to TalkTalk. If youwant to cancel by phone, ensure you have your account details to hand and call: 0345 172 0088.
If you want to write a cancellation letter instead, avoid ambiguous language and be clear about your intention to cancel. TalkTalk asks for the following details to be included in your letter: your full name, your TalkTalk phone number, your signature, and your contact phone number or address.
After receiving your email, it is likely TalkTalk will phone you. So it may be easier to simply call in the first place. If there is a reason you cannot deal with TalkTalk by phone, it's a good idea to mention this in your letter.
If you have a TV service with TalkTalk, remember it requires a TalkTalk Broadband connection, so you will lose it when you cancel your broadband.
Broadband near you
Check speeds, packages and providers near you
Cable.co.uk's broadband postcode checker will find you the best deals, providers and speeds where you live. It's free and takes less than a minute to check and compare.
Retention
Broadband providers don't often mention the offers they can whip out if you are about to leave. TalkTalk will want you to stay, so it might offer an upgrade or ongoing discount as an incentive if you decide to call to cancel.
Maybe you've totally had it with TalkTalk? If so, then stick to your guns and walk away. But if you want to save on cost, or if you want to upgrade to full fibre broadband, you might get a good deal by agreeing to stay. Just make sure you are happy to walk away if you start the cancellation process and TalkTalk doesn't offer you a better deal.