BT buys TalkTalk: What it means for TalkTalk customers

Ash Walker • 13 Oct 2026

TalkTalk has a new owner, but what does that mean for your broadband?

BT Group has acquired TalkTalk, effectively taking over one of the UK’s largest broadband providers. The acquisition follows a period of financial difficulties for TalkTalk, and secures the continuation of services for around 1.5 million residential customers.

However, the deal is still subject to a regulatory review, during which BT and TalkTalk will continue to operate separately. For existing customers, TalkTalk says broadband and phone services will continue as normal, with no changes to contracts as a result of the takeover.

Will anything change right away?

If you’re a TalkTalk customer, don’t worry. For now, TalkTalk will continue to operate under its own brand, which means you won’t see any immediate changes or disruption, and you can continue to contact TalkTalk’s usual support team if you need help.

You should be contacted directly about any future changes, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

What if you’re on CityFibre?

BT’s home broadband packages run exclusively on the Openreach network, but some TalkTalk customers are connected through CityFibre.

This raises some questions about the longer-term arrangements for these types of connection - will BT start to operate services on CityFibre, or will customers need to switch networks? Neither option has been confirmed so far.

For now, the advice remains the same: keep using your service as normal and look out for updates from TalkTalk.

Thinking about switching provider?

If you’re considering leaving TalkTalk ahead of any potential changes, start by considering what you’d like to get from a new broadband service - higher speeds, bundled TV channels or just a cheaper monthly price.

For TalkTalk customers on CityFibre, providers like Sky, Vodafone and Rise Fibre offer attractive alternatives on the same network. Here are few of the latest deals to give you an idea:

• Sky Full Fibre Gigafast - 900Mbps avg. download speed, 24 month contract | £28 per month | Prices may change during 24-month minimum term | Get up to £300 switching credit
• Vodafone Full Fibre 500 - 500Mbps avg. download speed, 24 month contract | £28 per month | Prices may change during 24-month minimum term
• Rise Fibre 900Mbps - 900Mbps avg. download speed, 24 month contract | £33.99 per month | Prices may change during 24-month minimum term | Includes £5 per month discount for first 12 months (then £38.99 per month)

As always when looking to switch, be sure to check when your minimum term ends, and if any early termination charges apply before signing a new contract.