UK small businesses set to benefit from TalkTalk

2005 News

June 14th, 2005

The Carphone Warehouse is set to extend its fixed line revolution into the business market with the introduction of TalkTalk Business.

Building on the success TalkTalk has achieved in the residential market since its launch two years ago, TalkTalk Business addresses the voice communications needs of the UK’s 1.1 million small businesses. According to a new Ofcom Consumer Panel Report 94% of all small and medium businesses depend on using a landline.

For a typical business spending less than £250 per month on its call charges and line rental, TalkTalk Business will offer savings of up to 15%, compared to BT’s standard Business Plan rates.

Additionally, all existing TalkTalk residential customers are able to call TalkTalk Business customers for FREE, further extending the benefits of being part of the ever growing TalkTalk community. For companies using TalkTalk Business service, this provides a unique proposition, demonstrating their commitment to customer service and accessibility for their customers.

Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse, said:

“Free calls have proved to be great news for our residential customers and we have become the number one alternative to BT, with over 920,000 UK subscribers.”

“Today we’re introducing TalkTalk Business and we believe we can bring the same revolutionary approach for small businesses, that we did for our residential customers. “

“Now a company using TalkTalk Business can say ‘TalkTalk to me for FREE’ and all of our TalkTalk residential customers will be able to call them free of charge – a clear cost benefit for both parties and a distinct customer service differentiator.”

The simple, clear business alternative

All TalkTalk Business customers will benefit from the following:

TalkTalk’s residential customers can talk to TalkTalk Business customers for FREE

Business Calling circle – five UK landline numbers can be nominated for free calls until September 2005

Cashback on Calls discount – equal to 2.5% credit back after 12 months

One monthly bill from one supplier

No connection fees

No need to change numbers

No hardware or equipment investment

No disruption to service

Line rental discounted by up to 10% compared to BT

TalkTalk Business has three call plans, which have been designed to suit the specific needs of businesses:

Talk Business 1 – Capped Calls
Talk Business 1 offers small business customers competitive capped call rates to UK landlines and mobile numbers, with savings of up to 15% compared with BT’s standard Business Plan. There is no requirement to spend a minimum level, as with the BT Business Plan, and, unlike BT, there are no reconciliation fees to pay if the minimum spend level is not met.

Talk Business 2 – Bundled Calls
50 hours of inclusive calls to local, national, international and mobile numbers for one low price and no set-up costs. With no set-up costs and low call rates – this is ideal for businesses looking to manage costs with certainty and security.

Talk Business 3 – Flat Rate Calls
With cheaper call charges to all UK landline numbers and one low rate to all UK mobile numbers, Talk Business 3 is ideal for those making high numbers of calls to mobiles.

TalkTalk Business is available by internet at http://www.talktalkbusiness.co.uk.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Stephanie Barrett, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Charlotte Chivers, Citigate Dewe Rogerson