Menu
11/04/2006
TalkTalk enters competitive broadband fray
Telecommunications firm Carphone Warehouse has announced a cut-price residential telephone and broadband package in a radical move that will ramp up competition in the sector.
Customers signing up to the offering from the TalkTalk service will, for £20.99, plus a one-off connection fee of £29.99, receive unlimited local and national calls, and international landline calls to 28 countries, plus up to 8 Mbps broadband access.
Carphone Warehouse said that the offer was available from Tuesday to all customers in 1,000 exchange areas, covering nearly 70% of the UK population.
If the local exchange has not yet been unbundled, customers will initially be connected via BT's wholesale IP Stream service, and then migrated at a later date at no extra cost.
Carphone Warehouse's Chief Executive Officer Charles Dunstone said: "Our approach to business has always been about how little we can afford to charge our customers, rather than how much we can get away with. So today we are cutting more than 60% off the cost of the average UK residential telephony and broadband bill, and additionally providing unlimited calls to 28 international destinations.
"The residential telecoms market in the UK will never be the same again. From today, broadband is a right, not a privilege."
The company expect to reach an initial target of 1,000 exchanges by May 2007, and will invest "substantially" in marketing and customer acquisition.
Carphone Warehouse, which already has 2.6 million residential voice customers in the UK under the TalkTalk brand, anticipates acheiving 3.5 million residential customers by March 2009, of which over half will be combined voice and broadband customers.
In the first year, the investment strategy will result in an initial operating loss from the broadband business of around £50m, but by March 2008, Carphone Warehouse estimate an operating profit of £30m to 40m.
While Carphone Warehouse has a strong position, several other companies, including BSkyB, are poised to enter the broadband market this year.
The first customers for new TalkTalk package are expected to go live from the beginning of July 2006.
(SP/KMcA)
Customers signing up to the offering from the TalkTalk service will, for £20.99, plus a one-off connection fee of £29.99, receive unlimited local and national calls, and international landline calls to 28 countries, plus up to 8 Mbps broadband access.
Carphone Warehouse said that the offer was available from Tuesday to all customers in 1,000 exchange areas, covering nearly 70% of the UK population.
If the local exchange has not yet been unbundled, customers will initially be connected via BT's wholesale IP Stream service, and then migrated at a later date at no extra cost.
Carphone Warehouse's Chief Executive Officer Charles Dunstone said: "Our approach to business has always been about how little we can afford to charge our customers, rather than how much we can get away with. So today we are cutting more than 60% off the cost of the average UK residential telephony and broadband bill, and additionally providing unlimited calls to 28 international destinations.
"The residential telecoms market in the UK will never be the same again. From today, broadband is a right, not a privilege."
The company expect to reach an initial target of 1,000 exchanges by May 2007, and will invest "substantially" in marketing and customer acquisition.
Carphone Warehouse, which already has 2.6 million residential voice customers in the UK under the TalkTalk brand, anticipates acheiving 3.5 million residential customers by March 2009, of which over half will be combined voice and broadband customers.
In the first year, the investment strategy will result in an initial operating loss from the broadband business of around £50m, but by March 2008, Carphone Warehouse estimate an operating profit of £30m to 40m.
While Carphone Warehouse has a strong position, several other companies, including BSkyB, are poised to enter the broadband market this year.
The first customers for new TalkTalk package are expected to go live from the beginning of July 2006.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 April 2010
Faster Broadband Connections Onstream
Customers of Belfast-based Rainbow Telecom are set to benefit from free superfast broadband. The company is the first in Northern Ireland to state its pricing structure ahead of the roll-out of next generation superfast broadband by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (DETI) due to be completed by May 2011.
Faster Broadband Connections Onstream
Customers of Belfast-based Rainbow Telecom are set to benefit from free superfast broadband. The company is the first in Northern Ireland to state its pricing structure ahead of the roll-out of next generation superfast broadband by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (DETI) due to be completed by May 2011.
13 May 2002
Freeserve team up with NTL to offer broadband
Internet service provider Freeserve has announced an agreement to deliver its Freeserve Broadband service via NTL’s next-generation cable network.
Freeserve team up with NTL to offer broadband
Internet service provider Freeserve has announced an agreement to deliver its Freeserve Broadband service via NTL’s next-generation cable network.
16 August 2011
Guarded NI Welcome For 'Broader Internet Access'
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed additional money to help get NI firmly on the Internet highway - but has also said that it falls short of the level of help expected.
Guarded NI Welcome For 'Broader Internet Access'
The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed additional money to help get NI firmly on the Internet highway - but has also said that it falls short of the level of help expected.
22 March 2024
Northern Ireland's Best Areas For Broadband Revealed
West Belfast has been named the Northern Ireland area with the best broadband, according to a new study. The experts at Getac – Rugged Computing Solutions analysed data from Ofcom Connected Nations 2023 to reveal the spots with the best broadband.
Northern Ireland's Best Areas For Broadband Revealed
West Belfast has been named the Northern Ireland area with the best broadband, according to a new study. The experts at Getac – Rugged Computing Solutions analysed data from Ofcom Connected Nations 2023 to reveal the spots with the best broadband.
20 May 2002
Btopenworld clears the path to broadband business
BTopenworld is unveiling a series of initiatives designed to accelerate the move towards "Broadband Britain". The plans, which are to be announced at the company's Broadband Summit in London today, aim to remove barriers to uptake, and educate the market on the benefits of the high-speed Internet.
Btopenworld clears the path to broadband business
BTopenworld is unveiling a series of initiatives designed to accelerate the move towards "Broadband Britain". The plans, which are to be announced at the company's Broadband Summit in London today, aim to remove barriers to uptake, and educate the market on the benefits of the high-speed Internet.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
