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CPW aims to keep recession victims connected

TalkTalk subscribers won't be cut off if they are unable to pay their bill for up to six months during the recession, provided they can pay line rental, boss Charles Dunstone pledged today. From January 30, the struggling TalkTalk customers who call customer services will be considered on a case-by-case basis to switch to the " …

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Nice

Its good to see a company thrying to help out the consumer rather than try and shaft them.

I have to wonder though, how long would this last before they themselves start to suffer

Hmm...

Hmm, I guess that isn't such a bad idea actually. I mean these days job seekers are encouraged to check the internet etc for jobs too and sometimes it can be much easier to e-mail a CV than sending it in the post.

Sure 512Kbit/sec and 1GB a month allowance isn't going to be much use for Youtube or BBC iPlayer but if it helps their customers get back on their feet somehow and not be faced with debt collectors who would presumably want the full remainder of the contract in one lump sum if they don't pay their broadband subscription.

Fair play to Talktalk. With my ISP if I miss a single payment either through a direct debit not going through or in the case of when I first signed up, them taking one payment by card and not telling me that it was an ongoing payment, I was/would be left without internet until it was paid, and usually on a weekend when even if I can pay they won't turn it back on because no one can authorise the payment on a weekend.

If Talktalk had the option to get fairly high download limits at 24 Meg and not tie it's customers into a 18 month contract but rather a 1 or 3 month contract I seriously would consider switching over to them for both my phone and broadband.

Rob

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Stunned

The cynic in me is genuinely stunned. Here is a proposal from a company to help people in hard times that might actually, well, help them! OK, the customer has to tighten their belt (fair enough) but at least they keep what is now an essential service.

Kudos to CPW/TalkTalk.

Anonymous Coward
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I'm impressed

Now there's some good logic! Provided it works, that is!

Anonymous Coward
Alert

Nice plan.

Now let's watch the rush from other companies across ALL sectors wanting to help the little man out instead of bleating to the government for handouts....

I have a feeling I may be waiting a while!

Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward

Wow...

...What can you say, this actually seems pretty selfless for a large corp... Sure it means they may keep customers that may otherwise just cancel as times get even harder, but still on the surface it really does sound genuine. Fair play CPW/TalkTalk! Doubt Virgin or whatever the call themselves will be doing anything close.

Mind you, when the shit really hits the fan, and we enter a proper depression (any takers yet?), telephone lines and broadband will be the least of most peoples concerns ;)

Anonymous Coward
Unhappy

**THROTTLED** to 512KBS??

What, they're gonna speed it up?

I'm paying full wack and I'm lucky to see a download start at 45K and stay there for more than about 10 seconds. Normal download speed is about 20 if I'm lucky...

This is weird...

Normally i wouldn't touch talk talk or the cpw with barge pole. From what i hear CS, their terms, and physical service is poor...

and yet i want to shake their hands. It's actually a very reasonable plan.

The cynic in me wonders how many people will be allowed onto it, and just how much grovelling would be required.

Anonymous Coward
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Top Up TV are being helpful too!

They'll drop your £9.99 Anytime subscription to £5.99 for 3 months at the moment if you thinking of cancelling......I think you might be able to extend this for a further 3 months too.

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