TalkTalk vs BT Broadband Deals

Overview of TalkTalk and BT Broadband Providers

TalkTalk and BT are two of the largest broadband providers in the UK. They both offer competitive plans for broadband, TV, and home phone services. A key point is that they use the Openreach network, which makes their services widely available across the UK. This article looks at the main features of their services. It covers full fibre broadband, download speed, customer service, pricing, and more. This will help you choose the right broadband provider that fits your needs.

Key Features at a Glance

Pricing Comparison: TalkTalk vs BT

Monthly Costs for Broadband Packages

Correct as of 08/01/2025

Speed and Performance Comparison

Broadband Speed: TalkTalk vs BT

When you look at broadband speeds, TalkTalk is a bit better than BT. This is true, especially when it comes to average download and upload speeds during busy times. Both use the Openreach network, but TalkTalk works with CityFibre and has its own network. This helps them provide faster speeds in some places. Whether you are just browsing, gaming, or streaming, both TalkTalk and BT have plans to fit your needs.

Speed Options for BT and TalkTalk

Both providers have different packages. They meet various needs for households, which include video calls or uploading content. Here’s how their speeds are different:

BT Broadband Speed Choices

BT makes sure that half of its customers get the speeds they are promised during busy times from 8 pm to 10 pm. This means you can count on a strong and steady performance.

TalkTalk Broadband Speed Choices

TalkTalk’s faster speeds come from their connection with the CityFibre network. This work together with their Openreach connections in certain areas.

Real-World Performance

Both providers are great at meeting household needs. They can handle everything from light browsing to gaming and streaming. However, there are some key differences:

• TalkTalk’s Edge: Get faster download speeds during busy times, especially with full fibre packages. Enjoy slightly better minimum speed guarantees for similar plans.
• BT’s Strength: Offers more stable upload speeds. This is great for people who do video calls or upload content.

Minimum Speed Guarantees

Both providers promise minimum speed guarantees. This means customers can change providers without any fees if the speeds drop below these levels. Here is a comparison of their guarantees:

TalkTalk aims to provide dependable services for full fibre customers. Their higher minimum speeds show they are serious about this, especially for people on high-speed plans.

Key Takeaways

• TalkTalk’s Advantage: It offers slightly better average download and upload speeds, especially for full fibre broadband. It also has stronger minimum speed guarantees.
• BT’s Advantage: This service is reliable with steady speeds during busy times. It provides better support for content uploads and video calls.

Both providers offer reliable services. TalkTalk offers faster speeds, making it a popular choice for homes that need high-speed internet. On the other hand, BT promotes stable performance and flexible plans, which are perfect for those who need different options for connectivity.

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Router Technology: TalkTalk eero 6 vs BT Smart Hub 2

TalkTalk is different because it offers advanced WiFi 6 routers with all its full fibre packages. These routers give better performance and reliability for full fibre customers. Models like the Amazon eero 6 and eero Pro 6 use new technology, including WPA3 security and smart mesh systems. This setup helps to provide strong internet coverage in larger homes. If you use a lot of devices, the tri-band eero Pro 6 can manage multiple channels. This makes it perfect for homes with several connected devices.

BT’s Smart Hub 2 uses WiFi 5 technology and WPA2 security. It can support speeds up to 1Gbps. However, its features feel old when we compare it to more modern options from TalkTalk. The Smart Hub 2 is similar to TalkTalk’s older WiFi Hub Black. This older hub is now only for landline and part-fibre broadband customers.

TalkTalk offers WiFi 6-enabled routers to improve their broadband packages. This means customers can enjoy better coverage and more consistent speed. This is great for TalkTalk customers looking for a new deal with strong home internet. Their routers also have app-based controls. This allows users to manage their settings easily, just like with devices from Virgin Media. These features make TalkTalk’s routers perfect for homes with many devices. They work well for streaming and using smart devices, like Alexa.

TalkTalk TV

• You can watch Freeview channels using the TalkTalk TV Hub.
• It has on-demand apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
• You can add extra features for only £5 per month.

BT TV

• Offers NOW TV memberships, TNT Sports, and Netflix Standard.
• Has the BT TV Box Pro that lets you record live TV.
• Great for sports fans because it has exclusive content.

Phone Line Options for BT and TalkTalk

Both BT and TalkTalk provide flexible call plans. These plans can be added to their broadband packages. They suit different customer needs. Here is a simple comparison of what they offer.

BT Call Plans

Note: All BT call plans have a 12-month minimum contract.

TalkTalk Call Plans

Note: TalkTalk’s call plans work on a flexible monthly system. This means customers can add or take away plans whenever they want.

Key Differences Between BT and TalkTalk Call Plans

1. Contract Flexibility:
   • BT call plans have a 12-month minimum term. This makes them less flexible.
   • TalkTalk has monthly rolling contracts. This gives customers more flexibility.
2. Included Features:
   • BT’s Unlimited Anytime Calls plan offers 1,000 free minutes to BT Mobile numbers.
   • TalkTalk gives international add-ons. The International Max Boost offers up to 1,500 minutes to landlines and mobiles in 55 countries.
3. Cost Considerations:
   • BT’s call plans start at £0, but that is only for weekend-only options.
   • TalkTalk’s standard call plan for unlimited UK calls costs £14 per month. This is better for customers who call often.

WiFi Guarantee: BT vs TalkTalk

Both BT and TalkTalk provide ways to boost WiFi coverage at home. This helps customers who have problems staying connected. But, they have different methods. Their service levels, costs, and equipment are not the same.

BT’s Complete WiFi

BT’s Complete WiFi is an add-on that helps to provide strong WiFi coverage all over your home.

• Features:
  • Gives you up to three WiFi discs to widen wireless coverage.
  • Uses the My BT app to check signal strength in every room.
  • Has a ‘strong signal’ guarantee in all rooms. You get a £100 refund if the signal does not improve after using three discs.
• Pricing:
  • Costs £10 a month.
  • Open to all BT customers, no matter the type of broadband.
• Limitations:
  • Needs a 24-month minimum term, which you cannot cancel early.
  • While it works well, the service may become expensive over time, especially for customers with a budget.

TalkTalk’s Total Home WiFi

TalkTalk’s Total Home WiFi is a better choice for people who want to improve their home WiFi coverage at a lower cost.

• Features:
  • Comes with one extra Amazon eero router to improve WiFi strength.
  • Offers a minimum download speed of 10 Mbps in every room, and engineers are there to help if there are issues.
  • Customers of Full Fibre 900 get two eero Pro 6 routers as standard, giving better coverage.
• Pricing:
  • Costs £8 per month, which is cheaper than BT’s service.
  • Only for full fibre customers in Openreach FTTP-enabled areas.
• Limitations:
  • Does not have a strong guarantee like BT.
  • Only available for full fibre customers, not for those on standard broadband plans.

Key Comparisons

Verdict

• BT’s Advantage: Complete WiFi offers more options. It includes several WiFi discs, a strong signal promise, and is available to all customers.
• TalkTalk’s Advantage: It is more affordable. Full Fibre 900 customers receive two powerful Amazon eero Pro 6 routers.

Customer Service Comparison

BT usually ranks better in customer satisfaction. They handle complaints well and have a support team based in the UK.

BT vs TalkTalk TrustPilot Reviews

Customer Satisfaction: TalkTalk broadband customers feel more satisfied than BT customers. A much larger number of people gave positive reviews for TalkTalk, with 36% compared to just 7% for BT. This shows that TalkTalk is a better choice for home broadband users, especially those looking for affordable deals on things like weekend calls and live channels.

Complaint Levels: A huge 88% of BT’s reviews are 1-star. This shows that many customers with full fibre and ADSL feel unhappy. A lot of the complaints focus on internet speed, latency, and surprise extra costs. These issues have made many BT customers upset. On the other hand, TalkTalk has 45% of its reviews as 1-star. This suggests there are fewer complaints. However, some TalkTalk users still worry about phone line reliability and managing their subscriptions.

TalkTalk has gotten about five times more reviews than BT. This may mean that more people are using TalkTalk broadband or that its customers are more engaged. The high number of reviews could be due to the popularity of TalkTalk broadband deals. TalkTalk also does a better job at marketing its full fibre services when compared to BT.

Verdict: TalkTalk vs BT Broadband

Key Takeaways

• Pricing: TalkTalk is more affordable for most plans. It gives great value for new customers.
• Speeds: TalkTalk has slightly faster average speeds, especially with its full fibre options.
• Router: TalkTalk’s router supports Wi-Fi 6, which is better than BT’s Wi-Fi 5 router.
• Customer Service: BT has better customer service. This makes it a good option for those who care about customer satisfaction.
• TV: BT has bigger TV packages, perfect for sports fans.

FAQs About TalkTalk vs BT Broadband