Talktalk - Mid contact equipment obsolescence

disgruntled01

Hello,

I’ve just received an email from talktalk saying the router provided as part of my original contact is no longer able to receive software/security updates. 

They say I have the option to:
a) continue to use the equipment effectively at my risk, or
b) pay £80 for a new router. 

Is this really acceptable? Is the liability mine if they declare that the equipment they provided by them to access the contracted service is obsolete? Why is the liability all mine? Should they not be required to provide suitable equipment for the length of the contact, or otherwise release me from the contact?

any advice most appreciated. 

Full text of email from TalkTalk below:

 We previously wrote to you, advising that your broadband router will no longer be able to receive further software and security updates. As promised, we're now getting in touch again with an update on the options available to you.

If you're still happy with the performance of your current device, you can continue to use this, and there's nothing further you need to do.

Or if you want to update to the latest device to get the best from your broadband service, you can do so by clicking the link below. The cost of a new Wi-Fi Hub is £80, which would be added to your next bill*. To purchase a new router click below, and we'll process this order for you.

Click here to order a new router 

If you do want to keep using your current equipment there's no need to worry, as even though devices will no longer be able to receive further software and security updates, we continually monitor the security and performance of all devices. For more information, click here.

JSmithy45AD

It's not obsolete though as it still works, you're not tied to them for life so leave at the end of the contract.

saajan_12

disgruntled01 said:

Hello,

I’ve just received an email from talktalk saying the router provided as part of my original contact is no longer able to receive software/security updates. 

They say I have the option to:
a) continue to use the equipment effectively at my risk, or
b) pay £80 for a new router. 

Is this really acceptable? Is the liability mine if they declare that the equipment they provided by them to access the contracted service is obsolete? Why is the liability all mine? Should they not be required to provide suitable equipment for the length of the contact, or otherwise release me from the contact?
.

How often do these routers even get updates? I'd treat this more as a sales pitch to flog you a new £80 upgrade with some fearmongering. Not that there's anything unsuitable or obsolete with your current router. Do they ever declare it obsolete? 

iniltous

How come you are within a minimum term but have a old router , presumably you have renewed at every occasion without any negotiation, asking for the latest router at renewal (or every other renewal if 24 month deals ) would keep your router current.
As far as is this acceptable behaviour from TT , put it this  way , it’s not illegal .

Are you aware how close TT came to folding , and its viability is still precarious,  financially they are a basket case , it’s no wonder that something that you may expect to be free isn’t , I’d suggest it depends on how much time remains on your minimum term as to what you should do …if it’s a relatively short period, shop around for a different provider , if for some reason you wish to remain with TT , demand a new router as a condition of remaining with them , if it’s quite some time before you minimum term expires, then that really is up to you , stay as you are ( probably what I would do ) then leave or renegotiate  , buy the TT router ( presumably you would own it rather than TT expecting it’s return should you leave them ) or buy a router yourself……TBH there probably are mountains of ex TT customer routers , more  modern than yours ,  on the likes of EBay , and available for peanuts .

QrizB

iniltous said:

...TBH there probably are mountains of ex TT customer routers , more  modern than yours ,  on the likes of EBay , and available for peanuts .

I agree.

OP can probably buy the "new" TT router for less than £20 used.

Or they could buy a third-party router (eg. a Draytek or a FritzBox) with better support and more controls.

Whichever they buy, they'll need TT to give/send them the setup information.

Rob5342

I wonder when it was last updated. It might not have been updated for quite a while anyway in which case it not having future updates might not be much of a concern.I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you get a new router when your contract ends.

Neil_Jones

Rob5342 said:

I wonder when it was last updated. It might not have been updated for quite a while anyway in which case it not having future updates might not be much of a concern.I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you get a new router when your contract ends.

Not all 3rd party routers get routine updates either, and when they do it will often only be for short period though there may be the odd exception.

If you need access to some newer technology that the old router cannot and never will be capable of providing (for example if the router is so old it doesn't support 5Ghz) then a new box may be a no brainer.

That being said, routersecurity suggests most consumer/domestic routers you buy not secure and that ISP routers are even worse:

https://routersecurity.org/consumerrouters.php

Your mileage may vary.