TalkTalk scraps separate line rental and overhauls packages

Charges will be simplified, but some customers could end up overpaying if they don’t switch to new deals.

Internet and telecoms provider TalkTalk has is overhauling its packages.

From November, the company will scrap separate line rental charges and offer fixed prices with a promise of no broadband price rises for 18 months.

It’s also going to allow existing customers access to the same deals as new customers.

If you have a TalkTalk package for three months or more you'll be able to switch if a better TalkTalk deal becomes available.

Tristia Harrison, consumer managing director, says it was making the changes because “people are fed up with confusing packages and loud advertising”.

She adds: “They’re frustrated with deals which shoot up mid contract, and they hate seeing the best deals saved for new customers.

“We know this is an essential service that really matters to people, so it needs to be simple, affordable, reliable and fair.”

The new pricing system means TalkTalk is scrapping its existing deals and replacing them with a simpler range of ‘Fixed Low Price Plans’.

With these plans you can build your own package or broadband, mobile phone, TV and phone calls to suit your needs.

Find the right deal for you with broadbandchoices.co.uk

Make sure you switch or you could overpay

The pricing changes aren’t good news for everyone, with TalkTalk admitting that only half its customers will see their bills fall.

And someone who currently pays £25.20 a month for basic broadband and landline will actually see their bills rise to £27.95 in November.

However, they can reduce that to £22.95 if they switch onto the new 18-month fixed tariff.

If your current TalkTalk deal is cheaper than the new pricing plans then you will be able to remain on your existing deal until it expires.

TalkTalk customers should read through the new pricing offers carefully, take a look at how it will affect their bills and decide whether now is the time to switch deals, or providers.

Find the right deal for you with broadbandchoices.co.uk

Making amends

The major pricing changes are a move by TalkTalk to attempt to win back customers after a disastrous 2015.

Around 100,000 customers left the company after a series of data breaches meant scammers were able to get hold of customer account details and call people tricking them out of £1,000s.

TalkTalk has always denied liability for the scam phone calls, despite the fact the criminals were able to quote personal details to customers over the phone.

But, the loss of custom as a result of the hack is believed to have cost TalkTalk around £60 million.

The company says the overhaul of its pricing is a sign TalkTalk is returning to its routes as a challenger company pushing big changes through the industry.

“We’re determined to be the provider that makes things simple, tells the truth and most of all rewards loyalty,” says Harrison.

Find the right mobile phone contract for you

Do your own research

TalkTalk isn't the first provider to simplify its pricing - last month we reported how Vodafone was scrapping the separate line rental charge in order to make pricing clearer.

It's something the Advertising Standards Authority wants to see more broadband providers doing, so expect to see more announcements from rivals in the coming months.

As for the fact that TalkTalk is switching half of its customers onto cheaper deals, this is undoubtedly welcome news.

However, it's important you do a bit of shopping around before signing up so you can be sure you're getting the cheapest possible package for your needs.

Read more about how to switch broadband providers in our guide: How to switch your phone, broadband and TV packages.