TalkTalk sells majority stake in Telecom Acquisitions as founder Nigel Barnett regains control

The West Sussex broadband provider is planning further acquisitions after buying back TalkTalk’s 51 per cent holding, with more than 80,000 customers served each month

TalkTalk has relinquished its controlling stake in West Sussex broadband provider Telecom Acquisitions Ltd, returning the business to founder Nigel Barnett after four years under the telecoms group’s majority ownership.

Barnett has bought back TalkTalk’s 51 per cent shareholding following negotiations lasting 18 months. The financial terms have not been disclosed.

The ownership change was registered at Companies House on 8 September, ahead of yesterday’s announcement. Telecom Acquisitions, known as TAL Group, now plans further purchases of smaller broadband businesses.

The deal follows a period of substantial change at TalkTalk, whose consumer and wholesale operations were acquired by BT Group on 5 October.

TAL Group says it doubled in size during TalkTalk’s involvement and now serves more than 80,000 customers each month.

The Horsham-based company operates four residential broadband brands – Home Telecom, Fleur Telecom, Eclipse Broadband and EZE Talk – and has acquired 17 broadband customer bases through its expansion.

It hopes to complete several further acquisitions before Christmas.

Home Telecom, one of its main brands, receives more than 30,000 customer introductions each month through the house-moving market. The business has expanded its services to include energy and Sky television packages alongside broadband.

Barnett said regaining control of the company had presented an unexpected opportunity.

Telecom Acquisitions relocated to new premises in Horsham in September 2025 and now employs more than 100 people, including staff working remotely across Britain.

The group provides round-the-clock customer support and offers access to major broadband networks and larger alternative network operators through a postcode-checking service.

Its trading brands serve customers transferred from several other providers, including Cuckoo, Gigabit Networks, No One Internet, Earth Broadband and Origin.

Barnett, who previously worked in business telecommunications through Global 4, thanked TalkTalk for its support during the four-year partnership.

“Having come from the B2B sector with Global 4, I’ve found the residential market refreshing and fast-moving. I’d like to thank TalkTalk for their support over the last four years.”

The ownership change gives TAL Group control over its next phase of expansion as it seeks further acquisitions in Britain’s residential broadband market.

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_{Main image: West Sussex broadband provider Telecom Acquisitions Ltd has regained independence from TalkTalk Group after founder Nigel Barnett bought back its 51 per cent stake, with further acquisitions planned before Christmas. Credit: Nic Wood via Pexels.}