The deal to sell 120,000 customers to fledgling provider Rise Fibre marks the latest effort by the debt-ridden broadband provider to shore up its balance sheet. TalkTalk secured a £115m lifeline from Ares Management and other shareholders, including £65m in fresh debt, earlier this year. TalkTalk has previously said that the break-up will be completed by the end of summer. TalkTalk burned through another £58m in cash over the quarter, highlighting the strain on its balance sheet. The deal with Rise Fibre, which predominantly covers customers on CityFibre's network, will more than double the broadband challenger's subscriber base to almost 250,000.