Broadband News & Mobile Broadband News

The Carphone Warehouse has today been given approval by EU authorities to proceed with its £236 million takeover of broadband provider Tiscali UK.

The EU were looking to see if the acquisition would damage competition within the UK’s broadband sector.

However, it was found that while the Carphone Warehouse is set to become the UK’s largest broadband provider with over 4.25 million customers, it will still face hefty competition from company’s such as BT and Virgin Media – not too mention the UK’s mobile broadband providers.

An EU executive said, “The Commissions’ examination of the proposed transaction showed that none of the above markets would give rise to competition concerns.”

“The new entity will continue to face competition from a number of strong players, especially BT, as well as from a number of strong alternative operators, including those based on the cable platform”.

Tiscali still operates in Italy and other parts of the world and will use the proceeds of the sale to restructure its debt mountain.

The Carphone Warehouse will move Tiscali UK into its de-merged broadband business which includes TalkTalk Broadband and AOL Broadband.

Even though it backed out a year ago, the Carphone Warehouse is once again considering buying out Tiscali, the debt laden telecoms company that operates in both the UK and Italy.

Tiscali had been in talks with BSkyB, but negotiations broke down over price, leaving the Carphone Warehouse with an opportunity to reconsider a buyout plan.

Without a buyer, there is a real danger that Tiscali will enter administration, which would mean their customer base being sold to a different provider at a cut price.

In February the company’s shares were suspended as it struggled to repay the interest due on its £508 million debt pile.

The Carphone Warehouse refused to give a statement on the supposed takeover plan, saying, “We never comment on speculation.” Tiscali also refused to comment on the matter.

Only time will tell whether Tiscali can find a buyer and that leaves its customers in a fairly tough position. Should they stay and be sold on to a different provider? Or should they consider switching now?

You can now get free phone line rental and free weekend phone calls with 8Mb unlimited Tiscali Broadband for just £9.99 a month.



The £9.99 per month price point applies for the first 3 months, followed by £14.99 per month for the remainder of the 12 month contract.

You can save £126 a year on your telephone line rental alone with this fantastic Tiscali Broadband and Talk package with free phone line rental.

You’ll also receive a free wireless router and free weekend International landline calls.

Please read our Tiscali Broadband review for more information on this deal and all the other Tiscali Broadband packages and bundles currently on offer.

Tiscali have cut the price of its wireless broadband and phone calls package to just £4.49 a month.

For this you’ll get up to 8Mb unlimited wireless Tiscali broadband plus free UK and International weekend phone calls.



The £4.49 per month price point applies for the first 3 months, followed by £12.99 per month for the remainder of the 12 month contract.

Set up is free whilst you’ll also receive a free wireless router. You can also keep your existing telephone number.

This is a special online offer that’s available until the 31st May 2008 so please use our Tiscali Broadband review for more information.

Superfast broadband from Tiscali now costs from just £6.49 a month and comes complete with a free wireless router and free UK and International weekend calls.

You’ll get up to 8Mb unlimited broadband depending on your homes distance from the local telephone exchange, plus free email anti-spam and anti-virus software.



There’s no set up costs to worry about, plus 24/7 technical support if you need it.

This special offer has a 12 month contract and costs £6.49 a month for the first 3 months, followed by £12.99 per month thereafter.

You’ll have to hurry though as this offer (already extended) ends on the 21st April 2008, so read our Tiscali Broadband review for more information.