Update: Market Chatter: BT Group Reportedly in Talks With UK Officials Over Antitrust Scrutiny of Potential TalkTalk Deal

04:00 AM EDT, 10/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with BT's statement) BT Group (BT-A.L) is in discussions with UK government officials over potential antitrust hurdles to a takeover of broadband provider TalkTalk, the Financial Times reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. BT Chief Executive Allison Kirkby met with officials at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to seek assurance over whether a potential acquisition would trigger an in-depth antitrust review, the report said. The company also reportedly sought advice from antitrust lawyers at Clifford Chance, and hopes to have enough clarity to decide whether to pursue a deal by the weekend. The FT reported that BT is considering a deal covering TalkTalk's wholesale and retail operations, according to two sources. TalkTalk owners, such as Ares, have been searching for a buyer for the company for months, the newspaper said. BT told MT Newswires it does not comment on rumors and speculation. The UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, TalkTalk, Ares, and Clifford Chance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)