TalkTalk has denied hypocrisy over its decision to increase its line rental charges.

The broadband and home phone bundle provider prices will rise from £11.49 to £12.04 per month from the start of October 2010, echoing a similar move from BT.

Media commentators have argued that the move smacks of double standards, given that TalkTalk criticised the proposed broadband levy as being an "unfair" move which could force low-income families to give up their home broadband connections.

However, a spokesperson for the company told PC Pro that its price rise is different to the plans from the Labour government, which were rejected by current culture secretary Jeremy Hunt.

"The difference is the government wasn't implementing a price rise, it was implementing a tax," the source explained. "It wouldn't have stopped providers increasing prices to maintain their business."

A BT spokesperson also defended the price hikes, telling the Telegraph earlier this week that the measure was necessary to ensure that it emerged from the recession in good shape.

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