A deal would test regulators’ appetite for dealmaking in competitive supermarket industry

The UK’s telecoms regulator Ofcom has welcomed the deal.

Dame Melanie Dawes , Ofcom’s chief executive, said:

After a prolonged period of uncertainty around TalkTalk Group’s future, we welcome the prospect of a commercial solution that protects customers and secures continuity of critical communications services.

The transaction will now be subject to the appropriate clearances and we’ll be working closely with the government and the Competition and Markets Authority during that process. Existing regulatory obligations will continue to apply. We’ll keep a close eye on the transition to protect consumers and competition, and we have written to BT today to underline our expectations.

TalkTalk’s 1.5 million customers will want to know what this morning’s news means for them. The short answer is: nothing changes today. BT has said TalkTalk will keep operating separately while regulators review the deal, so your broadband and landline carry on as normal, and there is nothing you need to do right now.

BT should set out quickly and plainly what this means for contracts, prices and service in the future, so nobody is left guessing. In the meantime, keep paying as normal and leave your direct debit running, as missed payments could put your service at risk. Scammers thrive on moments like this, so if anyone contacts you out of the blue about the sale, hang up and get in touch with TalkTalk yourself through My Account on its website.

Continue reading...