iTalk Telecom enters Administration — updated

Earlier this year, we reported on major problems by iTalk Telecom with extended outages for segments of the customer base along with customers being told to sign new contracts to fix their issues. Following this, more users reached out to us with similar stories. Two weeks on, very little had changed with continuing outages for affected customers. At no point did iTalk respond to our queries.

The business has been in a Corporate Voluntary Arrangement for almost two years which is a way for a company to manage its way out of debts. It appears that the main shareholder in the business has left a string of businesses

We have recently become aware that iTalk Affiliate Telecommunications Ltd has entered administration as of 28 August 2026. The owner according to public records is Russell Adrian Church, a businessman The Times said had “a string of failed ventures” in its article on March 2015 which talks about the Information Commissioner’s Office raiding the offices:

Russell Church, 54, is the owner of Italk Affiliate Telecommunications, an East Sussex company that was raided last week by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in connection with millions of unsolicited calls. 

The firm, based at a business complex in Hove, is being investigated for its use of sophisticated technology to bombard mobile phones and landlines with between 4m and 6m calls a day. About 90m numbers are reported to have been held by Italk or related ventures.

‘Cold call king’ gets ring at door from watchdog, The Times, 15 March 2015

Administration doesn’t mean the company will cease operations and until the Administrators announce their plans we don’t know if they are about to be sold to another business. It also doesn’t mean anyone in a contract can stop paying for services. We would urge caution for anyone considering signing up to iTalk or renew their contracts. If you’re out of a contract, holding on will let you see what’s happening.

Update 12:20 — We have heard from Telecom Acquisitions that is is in discussions with the Administrators to discuss options, and they wish to offer support, having worked with the same suppliers iTalk use, so any migration to its services would remain without disruption to customers.

This is a difficult situation, but we have assurances from the suppliers that no service should be
affected in the short term. We are here to support Italk’s customers and staff.

Nigel Barnett, CEO, Telecom Acquisitions