TalkTalk throws net lifeline to credit-crunch victims

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 28 Jan 2009 at 15:26

TalkTalk has offered to waive the phone and broadband fees of customers who find themselves in financial straits during the credit crunch.

The company says it will forego the £6.49 monthly tariff for six months, although customers will still have to pay the line rental of £10.50 per month.

During the six-month period customers will find themselves dropped on to a 512Kbits/sec connection with a 1GB download limit.

Customers will continue to get free evening and weekend calls to other TalkTalk customers, but mobile and international calls will be barred "to help customers limit expenditure".

TalkTalk insists customers won't be asked to repay the waived subscription fees and their contract won't be extended.

The company says it will decide whether to allow customers on to the "Emergency Plan" on a case-by-case basis, but won't reveal what it's criteria will be.

"We're not going to means test - we won't be asking you to provide a P45," a spokesman for the company told PC Pro. "We'll very much take it on trust."

The Emergency Plan is only available to customers who've been with TalkTalk for six months or longer, and won't be offered to people who've been in debt to the company for more than 50 days until they clear their debt.

"If you're anticipating hardship, perhaps as part of a job loss, your home phone and broadband service has never been more important in helping you get back on your feet," claims Charles Dunstone, CEO of the TalkTalk group.

"We hope our Emergency Plan will keep people connected, and give them the opportunity to apply for jobs and learn new skills."

The move has been welcomed by Ofcom and broadband analysts.