• Published

The UK's biggest broadband provider, BT, has agreed to rescue rival operator TalkTalk in a takeover.

The deal, which will need to be approved by the UK's competition regulator, would mark end of months of speculation over the future for TalkTalk, which has been on the brink of administration because of its debts.

TalkTalk has 1.5 million retail customers and one million wholesale customers across the UK. Some have raised concerns about the increased control BT will have over the broadband market as a result of the deal.

BT chief executive Alison Kirkby said the deal provided "a safety net for the households and businesses who rely on TalkTalk".

"TalkTalk's customers will benefit from access to the UK's best network, and the full range of market-leading products and services that BT offers," she added.

BT said the deal would provide "much needed and immediate reassurance" for TalkTalk's employees as well as its UK customers - both retail and wholesale.

"This includes vulnerable households, and connections that support critical national infrastructure providers across health, emergency services, defence, education, transport, banking and government."