What TalkTalk's troubles mean for customers and what will happen to your broadband or landline

TalkTalk customers have been landed a blow this morning as the firm rushes to sell its wholesale and consumer arms 'imminently'.This comes after fears of administration for debt-laden TalkTalk raised national security concerns, as it is Britain's fourth-largest broadband provider.The government has been in contact with TalkTalk over its future given its key role serving households and businesses as well as providing telecoms services to the Ministry of Defence.But customers will be understandably worried about what a potential sale – and looming administration threat – means for their broadband and landline services.Will they need to switch provider, will they get to keep their phone numbers – and will their services be cut off if a buyer isn't found?We answer all of your burning questions. The beleaguered telecoms firm is selling amid severe debts and a shrinking customer base Will I need to sign up to a new broadband provider?What happens to your TalkTalk account depends on whether a provider steps in to take over the company or its customers.Opus Broadband is tipped to buy its £100million consumer arm as the threat of administration looms.If TalkTalk is bought, your contract and services should transfer to the new provider automatically.Even if you are automatically transferred to the new provider, you can still decide to switch to a different one if you prefer but this may trigger early termination charges. Check your contract for more details.Ernest Doku, expert at comparison website Uswitch, says: 'If this follows TalkTalk's previous transfers, it would happen automatically. TalkTalk and the new provider write to affected customers directly and move the account across, with no action needed on your part.'However, if TalkTalk enters administration and no buyer is found, you will need to sign up to a new provider yourself.Will my broadband and landline be cut off?Your services will not be cut off without warning. If a company buys TalkTalk, there should be no interruption to your service. However, if any provider goes out of business and is not bought, your service will stop on a given future date, Ofcom says. Ernest Doku, of comparison website UswitchTo continue using broadband and landline beyond then, you’ll need to sign up to a new provider.In this scenario, you should get advanced warning to give you time to make the switch – but in the past this has sometimes been just days, so have a plan ready of which company you would like to switch to just in case.Doku says: 'There's no formal guarantee, but the usual pattern in situations like this is that services are kept running for as long as possible while things get sorted out, rather than switched off overnight.'Will my existing monthly price stay the same?The current terms of your contract remain if you are automatically transferred to a new provider or company.It should keep your monthly price, contract term, router and any other bundled services.If the new company makes a change to your contract, it must give you at least one month’s notice and this must be in a clear and concise way. It must also give you the right to exit the contract without charge, unless the change is for your benefit, is simply administrative or is required by law.Telecoms providers typically charge hefty fees that can reach more than £300 to leave mid-way through a contract. But you won’t be charged in this situation.When will I cease being a TalkTalk customer?If a sale goes ahead, it is not known when people will cease being TalkTalk customers, but the firm says it expects to conclude the sale of both its consumer and wholesale arms ‘imminently’.TalkTalk is aiming to conclude both sales by the middle of next week, but talks may fail.What will happen to my phone number and email?If your TalkTalk contract is sold to a new company then your phone number should carry across automatically.Even if the firm goes bust, you should be able to take your phone number to another provider, but this isn't always possible.Doku adds: 'Your phone number should be safe in any sale or transfer – number portability is a regulated right, so you can take it with you to a new provider.'In most cases where a provider has been bought, email addresses continue. But in the past customers have lost some provider-based email addresses when providers have closed.If you use a TalkTalk email address for your bank or NHS login, consider moving this to an email address you own independently, Broadband Switch says.Doku says: 'If a buyer keeps the business running as it is, your talktalk.net email should carry on as normal, but if the business were ever wound down rather than sold on, there's a chance addresses wouldn't continue.'Find the fastest and cheapest broadband - and see if you can save Broadband, TV and phone contracts are notoriously sticky, with customers often allowing deals to run on for many years while providers raise prices.But it may be possible for you to get faster broadband, a better TV package and an improved phone deal, while saving money each month.It is always worth comparing prices to see if you can save - particularly as the cost of living crisis bites. This is Money has partnered with Uswitch to offer readers the chance to easily search for the best and cheapest deals for their broadband, mobile and TV. > Can you save? Compare broadband, TV and phone deals