UK ISP TalkTalk Returns to Offering Unlimited Download Allowances

Budget internet and phone provider TalkTalk has reintroduced “unlimited” downloads to their basic entry-level ‘Essentials‘ package, which had previously been capped at 40GB (GigaBytes). On top of that the ISP are also throwing in 12 months half price broadband with calls, free connection and 500 landline to mobile minutes free for 3 months (£5 a month thereafter).

But the move, which could make the ISPs service much more attractive to heavy downloaders with lower incomes, also makes it harder to tell the difference between TalkTalk’s entry-level Essentials and premium Plus packages. Both still employ a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) that is particularly aggressive towards P2P (File Sharing) traffic.

TalkTalks Essentials Package (£3.25 per month for 12 months)
* Typical download speeds of up to 13Mbps
* Unlimited download allowance
* Unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK landlines and 0845/0870 numbers
* Unlimited calls to other TalkTalk-members
* 10% off 16 phone numbers you call most
* FREE wireless router
* FREE HomeSafe online security
* 12 month contract

TalkTalks Plus Package (£7.25 per month for 6 months)
* Typical download speeds of up to 13Mbps
* Unlimited download allowance
* Unlimited anytime calls to UK landlines and 0845/0870 numbers
* Unlimited calls to other TalkTalk-members
* 10% off 16 phone numbers you call most
* FREE wireless router
* FREE HomeSafe online security
* 12 month contract

Customers will of course still have to pay for TalkTalks Line Rental, which costs £14.50 per month but can be reduced to the equivalent of £9.50 if you pay 12 months in advance. The above broadband prices are also only applicable to TalkTalk’s unbundled (LLU) broadband network (covers over 90% of UK homes). If you live outside of that then the cost could shoot up by £15.32 extra a month.

The ISP also informs that it intends to give new customers a £50 welcome credit, although at the time of writing we couldn’t see this mentioned on their website. However the installation fee for new phone lines is normally £50 and that is still being offered for free. The latest discounts are for new customers only and look set to last until 25th July 2012.