TalkTalk TalkTalk Plus

• Speedy 24Mb TalkTalk broadband
• Free anytime calls to UK landlines
• Jaw-droppingly low price
• Unlimited usage allowance
• 30 day moneyback guarantee

TalkTalk broadband review: Plus Broadband & Phone

Who'd have thought that budget-king TalkTalk would launch a premium broadband package?

That's exactly what they claim to have done with TalkTalk Plus but is it any good?

Unlimited Super-Speedy Broadband

The most immediately eye-catching aspect of TalkTalk Plus is that up to 24Mb speed.

Although TalkTalk's Essentials + Speed Boost deal has been offering 24Mb for a while with this dedicated package TalkTalk seem to be making a move away from the cheap and cheerful image they've cultivated so carefully over the years.

You'll be able to get TalkTalk Plus if the telephone exchange in your area has ADSL2+ technology installed and TalkTalk will chuck in a free high-quality wireless 'N' router too which should give your broadband an extra push.

TalkTalk Plus also offers unlimited downloads, always a nice extra.

A fair use policy applies which will restrict the speeds of high bandwidth users at peak times. TalkTalk are cagey on the details but it should only affect very heavy downloaders (so online game fanatics and P2P fans beware).

Anytime Call Plan

You have to take TalkTalk Plus with TalkTalk line rental, luckily it'll be the same price as BT's come October (£12.04) and you get a better call plan included.

There are inclusive anytime calls to UK landlines (numbers starting 01, 02 and 03) as well as free calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers.

Mobile calls are cheaper than with many other providers - just 8.9p per minute - and you can get 10% off the sixteen numbers in your very own calling group.

Low Prices

Most importantly, though, are TalkTalk's famously low prices.

TalkTalk Plus delivers on this too. At £14.99 a month it's cheaper than Virgin Media's 20 Mb XL package (£20/month), Plusnet's Premium 20Mb package (£15.99/month) and Be broadband's Unlimited 24Mb package (£17.99/month).

Unfortunately, there is a £29.99 connection fee to take into account.

TalkTalk Plus may not be much cheaper than its equivalents, then, but the savings will add up over the 18-month contract. The alternatives may be worth keeping in mind for the next section, though.

Customer Services

TalkTalk's customer service department has a formidably awful reputation online.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that those with bad experiences are inevitably more likely to review than happy customers and TalkTalk has a lot of customers.

The truth is that TalkTalk has been steadily improving, many users find the service fast and efficient and with the addition of no-cost phone support things seem to be improving.

Finally, there is a 30-day no-quibble money-back guarantee so if you do want to bail out early you have that option.

All in All

A great deal from TalkTalk and a lot less confusing than their Boosts service.

A little more detail...

Broadband		Special Note...
Package:	Plus	-
Connection:	ADSL2+	Telephone line
Max Speed:	Up to 24Mb
Usage Limit:	Unlimited	Fair use policy applies
Totally Unlimited:	No
Hardware:	Wireless 'N' router	Wireless 'N' router - offers greater range
Internet Security:	Available	Free for the first 90 days only (£2.49 per month thereafter)
Online Gaming:	All major consoles supported

Home Phone
Package:	Talk UK Anytime
UK Weekend Tariff:	Free to UK landlines beginning 01, 02, 03, 0870 and 0845 6.8p/min to call mobiles 10% discount on calls to your Calling Circle (16 numbers)
UK Evening Tariff:	Free to UK landlines beginning 01, 02, 03, 0870 and 0845 6.8p/min to call mobiles 10% discount on calls to your Calling Circle (16 numbers)
UK Peak Tariff:	Free to UK landlines beginning 01, 02, 03, 0870 and 0845 6.8p/min to call mobiles 10% discount on calls to your Calling Circle (16 numbers)
International Tariff:	International call rates vary Inclusive landline calls to 36 destinations when you add the international calls Boost