The PSTN runs on analogue copper infrastructure and has become increasingly unreliable. It no longer meets the connectivity standards expected in today’s digital age. Working closely with Government and Ofcom, the nationwide move to digital landlines is delivering a more reliable and resilient service fit for the future. Similar upgrades are already underway or complete in countries including Australia, Germany, France and the Netherlands. 

BT has been raising awareness of the national switchover for more than three years, supported by local customer events, advertising campaigns and charity partnerships. The country has made good progress, and more than 95% of BT customers have already moved to a digital landline and are benefiting from a more reliable, secure and future-ready service. Now, with less than six months before the outdated landline network is phased out, we’re focused on moving the remaining minority of customers as soon as possible. 

We’re urging anyone who is yet to switch to engage with us promptly to avoid the risk of service disruption. Taking a few minutes to review these communications and respond when needed helps ensure customers have the right solution for their needs and the switch goes as smoothly and safely as possible. 

We’ll always get in touch in advance and explain what the switch means, what customers can expect and what action they need to take. 

Stepping up for all our customers 

While most customers respond to our communications and switch without any issues, a small number of customers have not engaged despite repeated attempts to contact them about their switchover. 

We have been testing different ways to reach customers who have not responded to our communications. For example, in a recent controlled trial, we temporarily paused broadband service for a small group of customers who had not responded to multiple letters, emails, texts and calls over the last two years. We did this safely – keeping customers' landline services running – and giving them notice in advance. The trial was a success: it prompted more than 80% of previously unresponsive customers to get in touch and take the steps needed for their switchover. In many cases, customers engaged after receiving advance warning of the upcoming broadband pause, which meant they completed the necessary steps and did not go on to experience a pause in their service. 

We are now expanding this trial to include all customers who have not yet engaged, with clear warning and support throughout. The aim is to ensure customers continue to have access to their services after the switch. By encouraging customers who have not engaged with our communications to contact us, we can understand whether they need additional support and help avoid any disruption to their broadband services. 

After all, responding to our communications as early as possible gives us the best opportunity to support customers and ensure their switch goes smoothly. 

Whether customers have questions, concerns or want to understand what the switchover means for them, we are here to help and committed to supporting them every step of the way. 

Support for customers who need extra help 

We know that as well as their home phones, some households have additional services or equipment connected to their landline service. That could include telecare systems, health pendants, personal alarms or other devices that may need checking before the switch takes place. 

Protecting customers who need extra help remains BT’s top priority. We have measures in place to make sure people with additional needs are identified and supported safely through the move to digital landlines. 

This includes working closely with local authorities, telecare providers, charities and government through the PSTN Charter of Commitments. We also offer free in-home engineer visits for customers who need extra support, and backup power solutions to help customers make calls during power cuts. 

BT Business is enabling the next generation of policing with British Transport Police (BTP) being the first police force to routinely operate national Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones as part of day-to-day police operations.

Delivered using BT’s Drone SIM solution, and underpinned by EE’s resilient mobile connectivity at altitude, the service is enabling safer, faster responses to incidents across Britain’s rail network, and establishes a new operating model for policing.

Operating across more than 20,000 miles of railway, BTP faces the challenges of responding quickly to incidents of trespass, welfare and operational disruption, many of which occur in remote locations. In 2023/2024, more than 19,300 trespass incidents, approximately one every 30 minutes, occurred across the rail network. Traditionally, officers have often needed to travel significant distances before assessing the situation further delaying critical operational decisions.

Working together, BT and BTP have developed and launched a scalable Drone as First Responder capability that allows drones to be launched remotely from strategically located drone-in-a-box stations and piloted from BTP’s operations centre in London Bridge. BTP currently operates 7 drone-in-a-box locations across the rail network, with plans to expand with up to 14 sites over the next 2 years.

Using BT’s Drone SIM, which operates on the industry-leading EE mobile network, operators can securely maintain command-and-control connectivity and stream real-time UHD video, even beyond Wi‑Fi coverage and in complex RF environments. This supports the delivery of live aerial intelligence and faster operational decision-making.

It enables officers and rail operators to gain immediate situational awareness before personnel arrive on scene, improving decision-making, enhancing officer safety and helping reduce disruption for passengers by enabling incidents to be resolved faster.

Sian Penny, Public Safety & Justice Director at BT said: “From emergency services to national infrastructure, BT plays a vital role in keeping the UK connected and protected. We’ve built on that experience in our work with the British Transport Police, unlocking practical new uses for drone technology, underpinned by the secure, resilient connectivity that critical services require. Together we’re delivering clear benefits for both passengers and rail operators, by giving officers real-time intelligence, improving safety and helping the rail network respond more quickly when incidents occur.”

Simon Bachelor, Head of Drones Programme, British Transport Police said: “As the first UK police force to routinely operate BVLOS drones as part of day-to-day policing, we are transforming the way we respond to incidents across the rail network. Real-time aerial intelligence enables our teams to assess situations faster, deploy resources more effectively and improve safety for both officers and the public. This collaboration with BT demonstrates how innovation can support more efficient policing while helping to minimise disruption for passengers and rail operators”

BT is at the forefront of enabling advanced drone operations in the UK, providing innovative new solutions and the secure, resilient connectivity needed for mission-critical deployments. As drones become an increasingly important tool for transport, law enforcement and public safety organisations, BT is working with a range of organisations to turn emerging technology into real-world operational benefits - improving safety, efficiency and resilience.

Source: Network Rail operational trespass incident records and delay attribution data 2023/24.

The one-year Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship (DaTE) programme will support start-ups and small organisations to develop new digital and technology products, processes and services.

Participants will receive expert advice, mentoring and funding through the programme, which is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered in collaboration with BT, helping to drive innovation, business growth and job creation across the region.

Tailored support will help turn innovative ideas into commercial opportunities, strengthen entrepreneurial skills and accelerate the growth of digital and technology-led organisations across the region. 

While Highlands and Islands businesses and social enterprises are recognised for innovation, many in rural and island locations can face challenges accessing specialist expertise, investment and technical support.  

The new HIE programme has been designed to help overcome these barriers through a mix of events, mentoring, networking opportunities and grant funding.  

The support includes entrepreneurial mentoring and advice, grant funding for digital and technology projects and Kickstart grants. 

The programme will build skills, confidence and innovation capacity, strengthen the pipeline of emerging digital and technology businesses in the region, and create new opportunities for growth and jobs. 

The initiative forms part of BT’s purpose to Connect for Good and its commitment to helping communities develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a digital world. It sits alongside the rollout of new gigabit-capable broadband delivered by Openreach as part of Project Gigabit, the government's programme to bring fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas.  

HIE’s team leader for digital economy Theresa Swayne said:  

“Digital and technology business founders, and creators of new tech ideas and products, have a vital role to play in the future prosperity of the Highlands and Islands economy. We want to ensure that great ideas can flourish wherever they emerge, from our towns to our most rural and island locations.  
 
“This programme will give entrepreneurs access to the skills, expertise and funding they need to innovate, grow and bring new products and services to market. We’re delighted to be working with BT to help unlock the region’s entrepreneurial potential.” 

Richard Marsh, BT Responsible Business Director added:  

“Digital technology is creating new opportunities for people and businesses across the UK, but talent and ambition exist in every community, not just our largest cities. As we continue to invest in the connectivity that underpins modern life, we're also committed to helping people and businesses make the most of the opportunities that technology creates.  

“This programme will help entrepreneurs across the Highlands and Islands access the skills, networks and support they need to grow. Through BT’s ambition to support 30 million people, businesses and families with digital skills, tools and support by 2030, we're helping ensure that the benefits of technology and economic growth can be felt in every postcode of the UK.”  

Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn said:

“Geography should never be a barrier to turning ideas and invention into economic success. Scotland’s future prosperity depends on us unlocking innovation in every part of the country and The Highlands and Islands has entrepreneurial talent and ambition in abundance.  

“By supporting entrepreneurs to develop new products, attract investment and build businesses rooted in their communities, this programme is an important step in unlocking even more of the region’s economic potential.”  
 
To support the rollout of the programme, HIE is collaborating with Techscaler, a Scottish Government initiative delivered by CodeBase, to deliver a series of regional events across the Highlands and Islands.  
 
The joint roadshow series will raise awareness of the funding and specialist advice available through the HIE Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship programme, while connecting local entrepreneurs with Techscaler’s national network of founder education, mentorship, investor connectivity and peer support. 

For more information on the DaTE programme, eligibility and to apply please visit:  

• Technology Kickstart Grant
• Technology Development Grant
• Digital and Technology Start-up Advice Grant  

For more information about digital support for your business please visit Digital support | HIE.  

 

LONDON, 20^th August: EE has today launched a UK first, Fast Lane – an advanced network feature that connects consumers and small businesses across the UK to the highest performance 5G+ lane on EE's award-winning mobile network.

Fast Lane works by anticipating network congestion and seamlessly moving customer connections into a dedicated section of EE’s 5G+ network, so that – even when the network is busiest – they can continue to stream, share and socialise with uninterrupted speed, all on the UK’s best network.

Designed for use in high-footfall moments of the day like rush hour and major events, Fast Lane is the first service of its kind for both consumers and small businesses in the UK. It is the latest innovation built on EE’s rapidly expanding 5G+ network, which is now available to around 54 million people (78% of the UK population) across several hundred major UK towns and cities.

EE’s launch of Fast Lane follows multiple real-world trials of 5G+ network slicing over the last two years, supporting consumers and businesses at major events and iconic locations across the UK, including Wembley Stadium, Belfast Christmas Market, Sail GP in Portsmouth, this year’s EE BAFTAs, and, most recently, the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

As part of a £40 billion investment into the UK this decade, EE’s 5G+ network will be available to 99% of the population by the end of March 2030.

Claire Gillies, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division, said: “Powered by our advanced 5G+ network, Fast Lane gives our customers access to a dedicated 5G+ lane at the busiest times. Whether they’re live streaming a special moment from a sell-out gig or processing mobile payments and ticketing at a festival, Fast Lane helps keep customers connected even when thousands of people around them are trying to connect at the same time. This innovation builds on years of investment in EE’s 5G+ network and real-world network slicing trials, marking another milestone for the UK’s best network.”

“As the UK’s best network, we are committed to bringing our customers the very best in connectivity and innovation. Fast Lane is the latest example of how we're building on that leadership with the UK’s first commercial network slice to deliver meaningful benefits to both consumers and businesses.”

Consumers can use EE’s Fast Lane to livestream, video call, post on social media, navigate, and message even when the wider mobile network is under high demand. Whether they are booking a taxi after a gig, accessing digital tickets outside at a packed stadium or sharing their location in a busy city centre, Fast Lane means they can keep moving without stress.

For businesses, connectivity is the lifeblood of commerce. Whether they are joining video calls while travelling or taking card payments on the go, with Fast Lane businesses benefit from getting to the front of the customer queue, even when they are surrounded by hundreds of competing businesses all trying to connect to the same network.

How to get in the Fast Lane

For consumers who want Fast Lane, EE is introducing Full Works Plus, a new premium pay-monthly handset plan. Available with a compatible 5G+ device, Full Works Plus includes exclusive access to Fast Lane to help them stay connected during life's busiest moments. For just £5 more than EE's current Full Works plan, customers also benefit from unlimited data at maximum speeds, worldwide roaming, unlimited smartwatch data, family data gifting, a premium inclusive extra, Anytime Upgrade and Network Boost.

Fast Lane is also available from today to new and re-signing small business customers that take out an EE Full Works business plan on a 5G+ compatible handset.

To help more customers understand when they are connected to EE’s 5G+ network and benefitting from advanced connectivity features like Fast Lane, eligible customers will soon start seeing a 5G+ icon appearing on their smartphones. This is already available on new and select Android devices and will be rolled out more widely on other devices later this year.

More information on Fast Lane and EE’s 5G+ network is available here.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Customers must have a 5G+ compatible mobile plan, device, SIM, and be within a 5G+ enabled area of the UK to access Fast Lane.

¹ The UK’s most reliable network claim based on the RootMetrics® UK RootScore® Report: H1 2026. Tested at locations across the UK with the best commercially available smartphones on all national mobile networks across all available network types. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of EE. Visit ee.co.uk/claims for more details.

LONDON, 4^th August 2026: The results of two major studies analysing mobile and broadband network performance across the UK have been revealed, with BT and EE providing the best connectivity both in and out of the home – benefitting millions of people, communities, and businesses in every part of the country.

More than 104 million individual tests were completed across the two studies, measuring broadband and mobile performance in towns, cities and rural communities in the UK, including at peak times when all networks are under the most pressure.

The results mark a UK first, with BT’s networks being independently proven to deliver both the nation’s best performing broadband and mobile connectivity at the same time.

The findings come as research shows more than three quarters of people in the UK (77%) feel isolated from friends, family and critical online services when they don’t have effective internet connectivity. ¹ With more of daily life now dependent on reliable broadband and mobile coverage, the in-depth testing provides consumers and businesses with a clear view of which networks deliver the best real-world connectivity to meet their needs.

Backed by BT’s £40 billion investment into the UK this decade, which will see its Full Fibre and EE’s 5G+ network rolled out to millions more people, homes, and businesses, this record-breaking network performance has been achieved in the face of intense competition in both the broadband and mobile markets.

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT, said: “These landmark studies are powerful proof that our investment in improving the UK’s connectivity continues to deliver where it matters most – for families, businesses, and emergency services across the nation.

“Whether you’re at home, at work or on the move, resilient and reliable connectivity is essential to how we live our lives, powering the economy and shaping how we work, learn, keep entertained and stay safe. That’s why we’re bringing Full Fibre and 5G+ to millions more homes, communities, and businesses – so more people can benefit from accessing faster, stronger and more secure connectivity on the UK’s best networks.”

Backing Britain with the UK’s best broadband

The first study by Ookla evaluated the performance of UK broadband networks to understand which major providers are delivering exceptional connectivity to their customers. Using crowdsourced data direct from users across the UK, Ookla generated an overall connectivity score for each operator, which consists of real-world network performance in several important areas, including speed, latency, web browsing, video streaming and gaming – including at peak times.

The results found that BT’s Full Fibre network, which powers the broadband experiences for both EE and BT customers, delivers:

• The UK’s best broadband, winning the award for the first time and proving EE and BT customers are getting the highest-quality broadband performance.

• The UK’s fastest broadband, recording the highest peak download speeds of any major provider and highest average upload speeds.

• The UK’s best broadband gaming experience. EE and BT customers in Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham are among those getting the most responsive gaming performance with the lowest jitter. ²

BT’s network division has long been a pioneer in fixed connectivity, consistently improving performance for both BT and EE broadband customers. From launching the UK’s first nationwide Wi-Fi 7 service to bringing 8Gbps speeds to market on next-generation XGSPON broadband, in recent months its fixed network has been optimised for smarter in-home coverage and more reliable streaming, working and gaming, with new tools such as Wi-Fi Intelligence, Wi-Fi Optimiser and Cyber Threat Protect made available to give customers faster, stronger and safer connections.

The total number of customer connections to BT’s Full Fibre network has increased by 16% since the start of 2026, as more households and businesses rely on it to power their lives, workforces and critical operations. ³

Connecting communities with the UK’s best mobile network

A second separate study by RootMetrics® – one of the longest running in the UK which takes six months to complete – saw a team of independent analysts travel around the country examining mobile performance in real-life situations, completing 609,000 tests in a variety of locations and scenarios using shop-brought smartphones and SIMs.

Designed to reflect real customer behaviour, the testing covered the UK’s largest 16 cities, rural communities in each of the four nations, as well as 21,800 miles of roads, 722 indoor locations, and areas of high and low network congestion.

The results found that:

• Overall, EE provides the most reliable mobile connectivity in more places than anyone else, naming it the UK’s best mobile network for a record-extending 13 years in a row.

• EE has improved its performance in the last six months, now providing the best and fastest mobile connectivity in all 16 of the UK’s largest cities, including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Southampton.

• EE continues to deliver the UK’s best 5G experience with the most 5G availability and the highest average 5G download speeds (230.8 Mbps), which are nearly twice as fast as Virgin Media O2 and more than 32% faster than Vodafone.

• EE provides the UK’s best mobile connectivity for video streaming, having improved its overall video performance in the last six months.

• EE customers also benefit from the best and most reliable gaming experience on any UK mobile network, with its low latency making gaming on the move smooth and more responsive. ⁴

Recent months have seen several major improvements made to the EE mobile network, so consumers, businesses, and critical national services continue to benefit from greater reliability, faster speeds, and a more secure mobile experience wherever they are.

These upgrades include expanding 5G+ coverage to a further six million people since January, upgrading the spectrum on 9,000 mobile sites to boost 5G and 5G+ performance, being the first to deliver reliable mobile signal to rural communities like those in Penmachno, Clocaenog, and Islay, as well as rolling out pioneering innovations such as Advanced RAN Coordination (ARC), which is improving EE’s mobile performance by up to 20% on average in the UK's busiest cities, including London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff and Newcastle.

To see how all UK networks compared in both the mobile and broadband studies, you can access the full reports here:

RootMetrics® - United Kingdom: State of the Mobile Union Report H1 2026

Ookla® - United Kingdom: Broadband Network Performance Report H1 2026

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

BT uses its different brands in the UK market to play distinct roles and appeal to different customers. EE, BT and Plusnet use our broadband and mobile networks to serve consumers and businesses while supporting our ambition to be the UK’s most trusted connector.

¹ Nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults was conducted by Sapio Research with interviews carried out online, March 2026.

² All ranking based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data, 1H 2026. All rights reserved. The UK’s Best Fixed Network Award from Ookla recognises fixed network providers delivering exceptional overall connectivity. This award is based on the Overall Connectivity Score, which is an aggregate of three key performance metrics: Speed Score, Web Browsing Score, and Video Streaming Score. These components are weighted to reflect their impact on user experience and provide a comprehensive evaluation of fixed network quality (Speed Score: 50%, Web Browsing Score: 25%, and Video Streaming Score: 25%).

³ Refers to the volume of end-user FTTP connections within BT's 21C Broadband Network, January - July 2026.

⁴ All rankings based on the RootMetrics® UK RootScore® Report: H1 2026. Tested at locations across the UK with the best commercially available smartphones on four national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of EE. Visit ee.co.uk/claims for more details.

Here is a snapshot of the UK-wide network awards EE has won following the independent testing conducted by RootMetrics® throughout the UK in 2026:

1. The UKʼs #1/Best Network (Across the UK, individually in the four nations – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – and in all 16 major metropolitan markets)

2. The UKʼs #1/Best Network 13 years and counting

3. The UKʼs #1/Best Network twenty-six times in a row

4. The UKʼs Best 5G Experience

5. The UKʼs Fastest Network

6. The UKʼs Most Reliable Network

7. The UKʼs Best Network for Video

8. The UKʼs Best Network for Gaming

9. The UKʼs Most Reliable Network for Mobile Gaming

10. The UKʼs Best Network for Data Performance

11. The UKʼs Best Network for Calls

Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive, commenting on the results, said:

“BT has made a solid start to the year. We are connecting more customers to our next-generation networks, and are increasingly the choice for mission-critical solutions, as we connect and protect the country and accelerate our transformation.

"Across Openreach and Consumer we achieved record new full fibre connections and take-up, resulting in fibre contributing to more than half of our broadband revenues for the first time. By investing in all our brands, and the services they offer, we’re continuing to grow our Consumer customer base. In Business, service revenue is stabilising, with excellent sales order growth from major customers. In this final year of the PSTN, our service revenue, excluding voice, grew in the quarter.

"We expanded 5G+ further to now reach 77% of the UK population and our full fibre build is on track to reach 25 million premises by the end of December. Internationally, our proposed joint venture with Verizon will create a scaled global connectivity platform and allow us to focus on our transformation in the UK.

“No-one is upgrading and investing in the country’s digital backbone at the scale and pace that BT is. We remain on track to deliver our targets, including cash flow of c£2.0bn this year and c£3.0bn by the end of the decade – as we create a better BT, for all of us.”

Strategic priorities delivering to plan:

• FTTP footprint increased to 23.4m, an increase of 514k in the quarter, on track to achieve our 25m FTTP build target by December 2026
• Record customer demand for Openreach FTTP with 574k net adds in the quarter; total premises connected 9.4m, bringing our market-leading take-up rate to 40%; Openreach broadband ARPU grew by 7% to £17.7, driven by higher FTTP take-up, speed mix and price increases
• Openreach broadband lines fell by 192k; we continue to expect losses of c. 800k in the year
• EE maintained its mobile leadership, winning P3’s Test Champion Award and topping the Reliability, Coverage and Performance categories; 5G+ population coverage rose to 77%, up from 73% last quarter
• Record retail FTTP base growth, up 1.1m year-on-year to 4.8m, comprising 4.5m Consumer connections (54% of the broadband base) and 0.3m Business connections
• Continued Consumer customer growth, up 1k in broadband, 13k in postpaid mobile and 9k in TV. Both our broadband and postpaid mobile churn remained stable year-on-year at 1.1% and 1.0% respectively despite competition as our fibre-first strategy continues to deliver
• Consumer ARPU of £40.9 in broadband, down 2% year-on-year primarily due to declines in voice; £19.7 in postpaid mobile, up 2% year-on-year; Consumer fixed and mobile convergence increased to 26.8% from 26.6% last quarter and 25.5% last year; EE One Up rewards programme launched
• Business service revenue stabilising, with strong sales order growth including new connectivity contracts signed with Scottish Water and Royal Mail
• International JV with Verizon announced combining our operations to create a stronger scaled global connectivity business and marking a significant milestone in delivering BT Group's UK-focused strategy
• Cost transformation delivered efficiencies across all units, with year-on-year reductions in network energy usage of 8%, total labour resource excluding International of 8% to 94k and in Openreach repair volumes of 21%
• BT Group NPS increased to 30.7, up 3.6pts year-on-year, rebased for the exclusion of International

On track to achieve full year guidance:

Following the announcement in June of our agreement with Verizon to create a combined global business, the International CFU is now reported as a discontinued operation. The below metrics are reported on a continuing basis.

• Revenue £4.3bn, flat year-on-year. Adjusted UK service revenue £3.8bn down 1%, as growth in broadband and Corporate and Public Sector in Business and customer base growth in Consumer were offset by declines in voice
• Adjusted EBITDA £2.0bn, down 1% year-on-year and broadly flat excluding the impact of prior year one-offs, with lower broadband and voice margins offsetting strong cost transformation
• Reported profit before tax of £505m, down 4% driven by higher finance costs offset by lower restructuring costs
• Reconfirming all FY27 and multi-year financial outlook metrics as updated in June to reflect our continuing operations

_{¹ Refer to page 2 for an explanation of how the 2025 comparatives have been re-presented
n/m: comparison not meaningful}

Group financial guidance as updated in June to reflect our continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Following the announcement in June of our agreement with Verizon to create a combined global business, the International CFU is now reported as a discontinued operation. International adjusted revenue was £451m (Q1 FY26: £542m; of which the five businesses divested from International during FY26 generated £78m) and adjusted EBITDA was £29m (Q1 FY26: £21m).

Re-presentation of FY26 comparatives

FY26 comparative information has been re-presented to reflect that the International division is now reported as a discontinued operation; all financial metrics are presented on a continuing operations basis. Q1 FY26 comparative information for Business has also been re-presented to reflect this change (at Q1 FY26 International was reported as part of the Business CFU), together with revisions to segmental revenue presentation to better reflect the nature of services and trading relationships between CFUs.

Reconciliation to non-GAAP measures

Our commentary focuses on the trading results on an adjusted basis. This is consistent with the way that financial performance is measured by management and reported to the Board and the Executive Committee and assists in providing a meaningful analysis of the trading results of the group. In accordance with IFRS, we updated our financial reporting to recognise that the International CFU is a discontinued operation. Accordingly, all metrics below are presented on a continuing basis. Reported revenue and reported profit before tax are the equivalent unadjusted or statutory measures.

_{¹ FY26 comparative information has been re-presented to reflect that the International division is now reported as a discontinued operation; all financial metrics are presented on a continuing operations basis. Q1 FY26 comparative information has also been re-presented to reflect this change, together with revisions to segmental revenue to reflect the nature of services and trading relationships between CFUs.
² Continuing profit before tax was £505m (Q1 FY26: £526m), discontinued loss before tax was £43m (Q1 FY26: £58m), equating to a total profit before tax of £462m (Q1 FY26: £468m).}

Forward-looking statements – caution advised

Certain information included in this announcement is forward-looking in nature and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Forward-looking statements relate to all matters which are not historical facts and include, without limitation, projections relating to results of operations and financial conditions and the Company’s plans and objectives for future operations. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including terms such as ‘believes’, ‘estimates’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘projects’, ‘goal’, ‘target’, ‘aim’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this announcement are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements in this announcement are based upon information known to the Company on the date of this announcement. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any particular expectation will be met and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only at their respective dates. Additionally, forward-looking statements regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement shall exclude any liability under applicable laws that cannot be excluded in accordance with such laws.

Download PDF - Results for the three months to 30 June 2026

21 July 2026, London: BT today announced it has been selected by Scottish Water to deliver a new fully integrated network and security service transformation, supporting the digital foundations behind water services used every day by millions of people across Scotland. The partnership will help Scottish Water improve visibility across its network, respond more quickly to issues and strengthen the resilience of services relied on by households, businesses and communities nationwide.

Scottish Water is a publicly-owned utility responsible for delivering water supply services to about 2.6 million households and 150,000 business properties, supporting a population of more than 5 million people across Scotland.

The multi-million pound agreement with BT forms part of a wider £130 million Scottish Water investment programme in networks and security services. It will see BT take end-to-end responsibility for Scottish Water’s extensive connectivity and security estate, spanning both IT and operational technology environments. This includes managing approximately 7,000 network connections across broadband, MPLS, satellite and internet services, alongside a large-scale operational technology network critical to delivering essential water services across Scotland.

A step-change in how critical services are delivered

Scottish Water’s decision reflects a shift away from a traditional multi-supplier model towards a single, integrated approach, with BT bringing those capabilities together to improve visibility, support faster incident resolution and create a simpler operating model for essential services.

BT’s solution centres on a converged Network Operations Centre (NOC) and Security Operations Centre (SOC), bringing network monitoring and cyber security together into a single, real-time operational model – supporting Scottish Water’s long-term digital ambitions.

For customers, this means strengthening the technology that helps keep essential water services running reliably in the background. By giving Scottish Water better visibility across its infrastructure and the ability to identify and respond to issues more quickly, the partnership will help reduce delays in resolving faults, strengthen protection for critical systems and support more dependable services for homes, businesses and communities across Scotland.

Local delivery, national impact

A key element of BT’s successful bid was its strong local presence in Scotland, combined with its ability to deliver at national scale. BT will provide a locally based team working closely with Scottish Water, ensuring faster decision-making, stronger collaboration, and deeper alignment with the organisation’s operational priorities.

The partnership also includes a commitment to delivering social value across Scotland, with a focus on supporting local employment, skills development and community engagement. Together, these commitments help show how the programme will benefit people and places across Scotland, not just the technology estate behind the scenes.

As Scottish Water continues to deliver its long-term vision for a resilient, sustainable and innovative water sector that contributes to Scotland’s journey towards net zero, the partnership with BT provides a flexible foundation that can evolve alongside these ambitions.

Chris Toop, Scottish Water’s Director of Digital & Innovation, said: "This strategic partnership between Scottish Water and BT is an important step in our digital journey. By working with BT, we are strengthening the technology foundations that support every part of our business. Together, we'll deliver more resilient, secure and efficient digital services that enable us to better serve our customers, support our colleagues and meet the challenges of the future."

Ishbell MacPhail, Head of BT Business, Scotland: “We’re proud to be working with Scottish Water to help keep essential water services running smoothly for millions of people across Scotland. By bringing together BT’s nationwide network, security expertise and local Scottish teams, we’ll help make the services people rely on every day be more resilient, responsive and ready for the future.

It’s about using technology to support better, more dependable services for homes, businesses and communities across Scotland.”

From helping Welsh food and drink businesses process payments during peak trading periods to enabling reliable livestreaming and real-time content sharing, the technology demonstrates how 5G+ can support enhanced experiences for both organisations and consumers, even in the busiest environments.

Alongside providing customers with more reliable and faster mobile experiences in the busiest locations and at peak times, 5G+ – EE’s most powerful form of 5G connectivity – enables new capabilities such as network slicing, which delivers a dedicated, protected slice of the mobile network for specific use-cases, ensuring performance isn’t impacted if the public network is congested.

At the Royal Welsh Show, BT is supporting multiple connections via network slicing – demonstrating the game-changing impact it can deliver to both consumers and businesses as the company prepares to launch its first slicing services for customers later this Summer. Bringing a 5G+ slice to the Show marks one of the first large-scale public demonstrations of how 5G network slicing can support both business-critical applications and enhanced customer experiences in busy real-world environments.

For businesses, network slicing ensures peace-of-mind for connectivity that underpins mission-critical operations. At the Royal Welsh Show, which typically attracts up to 250,000 visitors over its four-day run, BT’s 5G+ network slice will power mobile payments systems for Radnor Hills and Fire and Flank, two independent Welsh food and drink companies, ensuring they can keep the queues moving, customers happy, and sales flowing.

Chris Butler, Marketing Manager, Radnor Hills, said: “The Royal Welsh Show is one of the most important events in our calendar, both as a proud Welsh business and a long-standing supporter of the Show itself. With thousands of visitors stopping by our stands every day, dependable connectivity for our payment systems is essential to keeping queues moving and making sure customers can quickly grab a drink and get back to enjoying their day. Having a dedicated 5G+ network slice gives us greater confidence that we can continue serving people smoothly, even during the busiest periods – helping us keep visitors refreshed and hydrated throughout the event.”

David Evans, Founder and Director, Fire and Flank, said: “This is our first time exhibiting at the Royal Welsh Show, so we're excited to introduce Fire & Flank to such a large audience. When demand is high, the last thing any business wants is connectivity issues slowing down card payments or creating long queues. Reliable connectivity for our ePOS systems helps us serve customers quickly, deliver a great experience and focus on what matters most – sharing our food with visitors. It's reassuring to know that the technology powering our payments is designed to perform, even in one of the busiest event environments in Wales.”

The demonstration reflects growing demand from organisations for more resilient and predictable connectivity to support critical operations, particularly in high-footfall or high-demand environments.

BT is also using network slicing to support the Royal Welsh Show's digital engagement activities, enabling both 2026 Show Ambassador Teleri-Haf Thomas and the RWS team itself to livestream and upload content reliably even when tens of thousands of visitors are on site.

Aled Jones, Chief Executive, Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “The Royal Welsh Show is about bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from across Wales and beyond, and connectivity has become an increasingly important part of that experience. From supporting exhibitors and traders to helping our team deliver the event safely and efficiently, reliable mobile connectivity plays a vital role. Working with BT to showcase 5G+ network slicing demonstrates how next-generation mobile technology can support critical operations while helping us share the best of Welsh agriculture, food and rural life with audiences both on the Showground and online.”

Adam Price, Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Welsh Government, said: “It is important that visitors and businesses alike experience high-quality digital connectivity at nationally significant events like the Royal Welsh Show. BT and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have committed to ensuring the event benefits from world-class technology and I am pleased Welsh Government collaboration has helped to make this possible."  

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer, BT, said: “Whether it's buying food and drink from local traders, sharing moments from the Show on social media, or following the action online, people increasingly expect seamless connectivity wherever they are. At this year's Royal Welsh Show, we're demonstrating how 5G+ network slicing can help deliver exactly that. By providing dedicated, high-performance connectivity for specific applications, we're helping businesses keep payments flowing, enabling reliable livestreaming and content uploads, and showing how next-generation mobile technology can support better experiences for organisations and consumers alike.” 

BT's 5G+ upgrades to the Showground and neighbouring mast in Builth Wells form part of its wider investment in digital infrastructure across Wales. Since 2020, BT has invested more than £500 million in mobile and fixed connectivity across the country, helping to deliver faster, more resilient connectivity for communities, businesses and visitors. The Royal Welsh Show deployment demonstrates how next-generation technologies such as network slicing can help unlock new opportunities for organisations that depend on reliable, high-performance connectivity.

LONDON and NEW YORK, 29 June 2026: BT Group (BT) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today announced the signing of an agreement to combine their respective international enterprise operations into a 50:50 joint venture – in a move that is set to transform international connectivity.

The new joint venture will focus on serving multinational organisations. It is expected to serve more than 3,000 customers across more than 180 countries, representing approximately $4 billion in combined annual revenue. This breadth of operations will unlock significant scale efficiencies across the combined global network and service operations following completion.

Designed specifically for a cloud-first world in the age of AI, the joint venture brings together BT International, which serves multinational customers with secure and resilient communication and network services around the world, with Verizon’s international enterprise wireline arm, which provides secure connectivity to enterprises worldwide. Both BT and Verizon will hold equal voting rights and Verizon has agreed to pay BT an equalisation payment of $625 million.

By combining global scale with infrastructure designed and built to support local compliance and sovereignty needs, the joint venture will create a stronger platform for growth and accelerate the rollout of next-generation connectivity platforms. Customers will benefit from secure and resilient connectivity designed to meet data, operational and regulatory requirements.

At the same time, the parent companies will be better able to focus on their domestic markets, while providing support to the new joint venture as equal shareholders.

BT and Verizon have also today confirmed that Martijn Blanken has been appointed Chief Executive Officer-designate of the new joint venture, conditional on the completion of the transaction. Martijn has almost three decades in senior leadership positions across telecommunications, technology and digital infrastructure at Telstra, Openwave Systems, EXA Infrastructure and KPN, and a career spanning four continents. From 01 September he will join BT and will work with both parent companies, while observing relevant regulatory requirements, as they prepare for the launch of the proposed joint venture.

Clive Selley will continue to lead BT International as CEO, ensuring continuity of BT International’s ongoing transformation in readiness for the creation of the joint venture. Verizon’s leadership remains unchanged.

Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “The world’s leading brands and international organisations trust BT International to connect them across the world. Bringing together this expertise and heritage with Verizon’s deep relationships with multinationals will create a stronger, scaled connectivity partner – one that has the reach, innovation and investment to succeed. Customers will benefit from new, secure and resilient connectivity platforms, which are designed for the age of AI and sovereign where it matters. It will create new opportunities for our people and long-term value for our owners. Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for BT International, and an important step forward for BT as a whole, as we deliver on our UK-focused strategy.”

Dan Schulman, CEO of Verizon, said: "Our international customers require secure, flexible connectivity that works seamlessly across borders and cloud environments. When we thought about how to best support them, this joint venture was the clear answer: a cutting-edge, AI-ready and secure platform run by a single global organization dedicated to their needs. At the same time, our relationship with those customers will stay equally strong as we continue to directly provide them with the connectivity they need in the U.S."

The transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and consultation with employee representations in countries where required. BT and Verizon’s international businesses will continue to operate independently until the transaction officially closes with a full commitment to their respective customers.

- ENDS -

Additional information

• The new joint venture will be incorporated in the Bailiwick of Jersey and headquartered and tax resident in the United Kingdom.
• On completion of the transaction, the new joint venture will establish commercial relationships with both BT and Verizon – providing a seamless, end-to-end service across borders including for our customers in the UK (BT) and the US (Verizon).
• Goldman Sachs acted as lead financial advisor to BT, with Deloitte as transaction services advisors and Freshfields LLP as legal counsel. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors to Verizon and Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel.

BT has become the first UK company to confirm its membership of Anthropic’s Project Glasswing – giving access to Claude Mythos Preview, Anthropic’s frontier AI model, and strengthening BT’s protection against cyber security threats for its networks and customers.

Project Glasswing brings together critical infrastructure providers to secure data and systems which underpin services that millions of people rely on. It allows trusted organisations to use Anthropic’s safe AI systems to rapidly identify vulnerabilities – and help fix them before criminals can take advantage.

BT’s Chief Executive, Allison Kirkby, announced the news as she opened the UK Government’s ‘AI Adoption Summit’ earlier today, which featured the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, DSIT Secretary Liz Kendall, Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo and Minister for AI and Online Safety Kanishka Narayan.

Allison’s speech outlined the critical role of connectivity in ensuring the UK can seize the growth potential of AI, stating that “AI only works at scale when it is underpinned by future-ready networks that are secure, resilient, safe”. She also emphasised BT’s commitment “to working with Government to support the further development and deployment of sovereign British AI capability, so that the UK can be an AI maker and not just a taker”, and to acting as an “enabler of responsible adoption and a responsible adopter ourselves” in AI.

BT’s participation in Project Glasswing reflects its role in securing UK critical national infrastructure, and as one of the UK’s leading providers of security managed services. BT now prevents four million cyber-attacks across its networks every day, underlining the scale of the threat and the importance of staying ahead of it.

Jon James, Chief Executive Officer, BT Business said: “AI is changing cyber security fast, and businesses need trusted partners who can help them stay one step ahead. By joining Project Glasswing, BT will strengthen its own cyber security capability to protect our networks, our customers and the wider UK.”

BT Business already provides AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to customers of all sizes, including new products for small businesses – and recently announced a collaboration with Accenture to develop advanced AI-powered cyber operations, responding to cyber threats at machine speed.

London, 4^th June 2026: UK football fans are gearing up for a very different summer of football, with late‑night kick‑offs set to change how, when and where people watch, according to new research from EE, the lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations. The tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will bring late evening and overnight matches. As a result, over 80% of fans in the UK say the timing will affect how many matches they watch live.

Many fans are already planning to adapt their viewing. A quarter say they will mainly watch the biggest matches live, such as their team’s games or knockout rounds, while others expect to watch fewer live games overall or rely more on highlights and updates.

At the same time, fans are clear about what matters most: seeing the big moments as they happen. More than four in five (82%) say they would be frustrated if a stream cut out and they missed a key moment like a goal, and nearly a quarter (23%) say it would spoil the match completely.

Almost eight in ten (79%) are concerned about the ‘roar before the score’, saying they would be upset if they found out about a goal before seeing it on their own screen - whether through notifications, group chats or simply hearing people nearby celebrating. Delays are just as painful, with 93% saying it is important that live matches are shown with as little delay as possible.

This matters even more as viewing habits evolve. While this summer’s football action remains a TV event for most, younger fans are watching and following differently. Among 18–24s, only 30% expect to use traditional broadcast TV, with more turning to social media (43%) to get updates or highlights to keep up with the matches.

With late kick-offs pushing more fans to catch up, avoiding the result has become part of how people will follow them. More than three quarters (76%) of fans say they will take steps to avoid finding out the result before catching up on action they have missed - from avoiding social media and news apps, to muting notifications or staying away from their phones entirely.

The basics of the viewing experience still come first. Fans rank no buffering, no delays and better picture quality as the most important factors when streaming live sport, well ahead of more advanced features like alternative camera angles, real‑time stats or personalised highlights.

Late-night kick-offs could also change where people watch. While major tournaments have traditionally been social occasions, fewer fans expect to watch in pubs or fan zones for this tournament, with more opting to stay at home. Even so, the shared experience remains important: a third of fans regularly use a second screen while watching live sport, whether to check other scores, talk to friends or follow reactions online.

And with many fans relying on streaming and mobile updates, two thirds (66%) say a reliable mobile or broadband connection will be extremely or very important to their experience of watching the matches

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT which operates the EE network said: “This summer’s tournament is one of those rare moments that captures the imagination of football fans across the UK, bringing people together through a shared passion for the game. Whether fans are watching at home, with friends or in the pub, witnessing the action live matters enormously. EE’s research shows that even short delays or interruptions can frustrate fans and take away from those unforgettable moments - and missing a goal isn’t just annoying, for many it ruins the match. With millions prioritising the live moments and many fans switching between streams, clips, social feeds and group chats, seamless, reliable connectivity has never been more important.  Our leading fixed and mobile networks help keep fans connected to the action and to each other.” 

As lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations EE has also launched its new Yes Boys campaign, shining a light on the growing impact of negative online influences on young boys, and the vital role football can play in helping them build confidence, identity and resilience both on and off the pitch. The campaign marks the latest step in EE’s ongoing commitment to helping young people navigate the online world with confidence and positivity.

This follows EE being recognised as the UK’s best network for more than 12 years. In that time EE has become the first operator in the UK to launch Wi-Fi 7 and 5G, providing the most reliable connectivity in more places than anyone else, helping ensure fans can stay close to the action at home or on the move. 

Methodology

The survey of 2,000 UK consumers was conducted by Sapio Research with interviews carried out online May 2026.

LONDON, 1^st June: Millions of people attending the UK’s biggest events and festivals this summer will be able to benefit from a significant boost to their mobile connectivity, with fewer dropped calls, less buffering and more reliable signal, after EE revealed its 5G+ network will be activated at more than 25 major events – including BST Hyde Park, Isle of Wight Festival, Reading and Leeds Festival, the Formula One® British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and many more. ¹

At the same time, people and businesses in more than 30 towns across the UK have been given a major signal boost as EE expands its 5G+ network ahead of the busy summer season.

These upgrades come as EE’s new nationwide advertising campaign, which launches today, highlights how customers can get the edge with 5G+, which is EE’s most powerful and reliable form of 5G connectivity.

5G+ has been designed to provide customers with stronger mobile internet connections, faster download and upload speeds, and improved video calling, especially in busy locations and at peak times.

By deploying 5G+ connectivity on its temporary mobile sites at festivals and events, EE is helping improve how attendees stay connected to friends and family, as well as how businesses engage with their customers – even in remote event locations or when the mobile network is at peak demand as thousands of people try to call, chat, and stream at the same time.

As part of a long-standing commitment to support culturally important events in all parts of the UK, EE will be making 5G+ available at major regional showcases, such as the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in Kiltarlity, the Devon County Show, and the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells where it has delivered permanent 5G+ connectivity for enhanced mobile performance all-year round.

Connecting communities and the country with 5G+

With customer usage of 5G+ increasing by more than 11% between March and April, EE is continuing to rapidly expand the coverage of its most reliable mobile technology to meet demand and ensure the benefits of 5G+ connectivity continue to be felt by communities and businesses in every corner of the UK.

5G+ on EE is now available to 75% of the UK population, with these latest upgrades meaning the technology covers more than 44 million people in England, over 2.1 million people in Wales and 3.3 million people in Scotland, as well as nearly one million people in Northern Ireland.

Many more places across the UK have recently benefitted from EE’s free connectivity boost ahead of the summer, including market and seaside towns and destinations popular with tourists: 

“The summer has arrived and as our town centres and tourist hotspots get busier, staying connected with fast, secure and reliable mobile coverage has never been more important. 5G+ on EE has been designed to deliver exactly that, so whether you’re video-calling your friends from a packed festival crowd or just keeping in touch with your family while you’re shopping in the high street, switching to 5G+ means you can benefit from a more dependable connection,” said Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT – which connects EE, BT and Plusnet customers.

“We continue to build on our commitment to give customers access to the most reliable connectivity on the UK’s best mobile network. By investing in these latest 5G+ upgrades, we’re ensuring we’re on track to deliver our ambition to bring the UK’s highest quality 5G+ connectivity to 99% of the population by the end of March 2030,” he added.

EE expands UK-first rollout of ARC

As part of BT’s £40 billion investment in upgrading the UK’s network infrastructure this decade, EE customers are also benefitting from the roll out of ARC (Advanced RAN Coordination), a cutting-edge technology that enables mobile sites close to each other to dynamically share capacity in real time, instantly boosting network performance – particularly download speeds – by up to 20% without the need for additional masts.

After already making ARC live for customers in Edinburgh, Manchester and London, the technology is now improving the everyday mobile experience for EE customers in the busiest areas of Liverpool, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Leeds as part the UK’s first rollout of the technology.

All EE 5G customers are able to benefit from the improvements ARC is providing, however 5G+ customers will see the biggest boost to their network speeds and performance on their devices.

5G+ gives customers the edge when it matters most

With EE’s 5G+ network now being used by a growing number of people and businesses, the operator’s new advertising campaign launches nationwide today, highlighting how the reliability and capacity benefits of 5G+ help give customers the edge in everyday life; whether that is booking their next event tickets while at a festival stage or sliding in to bag the last e-bike on the commute home, with 5G+ customers can stay ahead when it matters most.

For more information on how to start benefitting from 5G+, head to www.ee.co.uk/why-ee/5g-on-ee

To check if EE’s 5G+ network is available in your local area, please visit: www.ee.co.uk/help/mobile-coverage-checker

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

¹ Events where EE is deploying or has already deployed 5G+ this summer, include: All Points East, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Big Feastival, Boomtown, BST Hyde Park, Creamfields, Devon County Show, Download Festival, Eisteddfod, Formula One® British GP At Silverstone, Game Fair, Goodwood Festival Of Speed, Hillside 2026, In It Together Festival, Isle Of Wight Festival, Kendall Calling, Latitude Festival, Lost Village, Leeds Festival, Parklife Festival, Reading Festival, Royal Ascot, The Royal Welsh Show, Ynot Festival, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Full list of smartphones, tablets, laptops and devices which are compatible with EE’s 5G+ network can be found here. Customers with 5G+ compatible devices, SIMs and plans will be able to access EE’s 5G+ network.

UK’s best network claim based on the RootMetrics® UK RootScore® Report: H2 2025. Tested at locations across the UK with the best commercially available smartphones on 4 national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of EE. Visit ee.co.uk/claims for more details.

20 May 2026, London: BT today unveils a new fan-inspired poem featuring comedian and lifelong football fan Frank Skinner (Three Lions) alongside Home Nations football legends Izzy Christiansen (England), Helen Ward (Wales), Rachel Corsie (Scotland) and Keith Gillespie (Northern Ireland). 

Celebrating BT becoming the Official Telecommunications Partner of UEFA EURO 2028™, the poem brings together voices from across the UK to capture what football means now: the emotion, the atmosphere, the matchday rituals and the moments that connect supporters whether they are in a stadium, at home or on the move. 

Thirty years on from co-writing Three Lions, Frank Skinner collaborated on the poem using fan responses and insights from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to inspire the final piece, creating a powerful tribute to the shared culture of football fandom and the game’s unique ability to bring people together ahead of UEFA EURO 2028™ coming to the UK and Ireland. 

The launch follows a new national consumer survey commissioned by BT, which reveals just how deeply football shapes life across the UK. The research found that nearly three quarters (72%) of people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say tournaments like the UEFA EURO 2028™ have a major impact on the nation’s culture, identity and mood, while 75% say they are already excited for UEFA EURO 2028™ to take place on home soil.¹ 

It’s not just the game itself that fans remember, but the chants and songs that define a generation of tournaments too. Almost half (45%) say that when they think back to UEFA EURO ’96, the iconic Three Lions anthem is the moment they most associate with that summer.¹ 

At the heart of the campaign is BT’s ambition to use the power of connectivity to bring people together through shared cultural moments, no matter where they are in the UK. This spirit of connection mirrors the nationwide experiences fans can expect during UEFA EURO 2028™, brought to life through the unifying, fan-inspired poem. The campaign also builds on BT’s longstanding network leadership, including making Wembley Stadium connected by EE the UK’s first sports venue to have a bespoke and permanent 5G+ network, and comes as 62% of UK sports fans say they want technology to enhance the in-stadium experience.¹ 

Ahead of UEFA EURO 2028™, BT will continue to innovate and strengthen its network to deliver new and improved experiences. This includes boosting mobile performance by up to 20% in many host cities including London, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Liverpool; delivering a dedicated 5G+ network slice to each of the 24 tournament training venues; and rolling out unique eSIM experiences for fans from across the UK and around the world who want to stay connected with friends, family and all the action at matches and fan parks. 

Claire Gillies, CEO of BT Consumer, said: “UEFA EURO 2028™ will be one of the defining moments for the UK this decade. We’re incredibly proud that BT is the Official Telecommunications Partner, using the full strength of our networks and technology to help power every moment, wherever fans choose to experience the action. The poem is a celebration of football’s ability to bring people together and reflects the power of connectivity to unite fans through shared experiences. Every day, millions of customers depend on BT to do brilliant things, and as we look ahead to EURO 2028, we’re focused on providing the infrastructure and fan experiences that will help deliver the most connected tournament for the UK.”

Frank Skinner, Comedian, Actor, Presenter and Writer, said: “When BT asked me to help capture what football means to fans today, I loved the idea of collaborating on something inspired by supporters themselves. What came through was a real sense of togetherness - that football doesn’t just entertain us, it connects us. As we look ahead to UEFA EURO 2028™ on home soil, it feels fitting to celebrate the way the game brings people closer, whether through a shared chant, a shared screen or a shared moment of joy.” 

Izzy Christiansen said: “When I think about football in England now, it’s how much the game has grown and who gets to be part of it. I’ve seen first-hand how the connection between players and fans has changed; it’s closer, more visible, and more inclusive than ever. Whether you’re in the stands or following along wherever you are, that sense of being part of something bigger is what makes it special.” 

Helen Ward said: “For me, playing for Cymru has always been about representing something bigger than myself. It’s identity, pride, and the bond we share as a nation. Every time I pulled on that shirt, I felt the support of the fans, the communities, and the young girls who saw a future in the game. That sense of togetherness has driven me throughout my career. To be part of something that celebrates that spirit today means a huge amount.” 

Rachel Corsie said: “In Scotland, football runs deep. It’s built on history, resilience and a real passion that unites our people. From pulling on the shirt, to being amongst the fans that travel the country to support the team, it’s the feeling in those moments that are special. Being part of something that reflects what the game means across Scotland today is very moving.”  

Keith Gillespie said: “Some of my best memories are playing away and still hearing Northern Irish fans louder than anyone else in the stadium. That support stays with you. It’s proper, unwavering. It tells you everything about what football means back home. That’s why this kind of moment matters, because it brings that spirit to the surface in a unique way.” 

You can watch now on the BT YouTube and see the full poem below. 

Four Nations, One Chant 

That feeling before, 

Before the roar, 

Before that sound of boot against ball. 

At the ground. in the bar, or just sitting there 

in your own little flat, in your underwear 

with a nice cup of tea, in your favourite chair. 

If you properly care 

Then you’re properly there. 

Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, West Bromwich, 

ready to cheer, to revere and pay homage 

to our teams and our dreams 

our fists punching the air 

or clenched in despair. 

You can be anywhere 

but when you really care, 

When you properly care, 

then you’re properly there. 

The wall chart’s unfolded, the face-paint’s been bought 

The team in your sticker-book’s just 2 men short. 

You’ve got the new shirt and you’ve stacked-up the snacks 

Bit nervous but mainly just stoked to the max 

It’s the UEFA EUROS 2028. And time to re-write England’s story. 

With a Lioness style ending and ticker-tape glory? 

In the pub, that’s the hub, where the voices aa blend 

And you’re huggin a stranger like they’re your best friend 

Fae a buzz tae a roar, fae a spark tae a flame 

We’re no watching alone, coz we all share one name. 

It’s Scotland. It’s Alba. That word brings a tear to your eye 

and we’ll scream for our team and we’ll never say die. 

We’ll follow our team like a heavenly choir 

Our hymns and arias can only inspire 

We will not go gentle into that good night 

We’ll sing our hearts out for the red, green and white 

We are Wales and the tales of these times we will share, 

and might even say ‘I know ‘cos I was there’ 

When it comes to the EUROS, we strive to succeed there  

So we made our way to the wishing chair 

And we asked that the team would be focused and driven 

And for some of that magic that Georgie was given. 

Northern Ireland will rise, you can feel it ignite 

Cos the wishing chair will see us right. 

Yes, of course, we’re all different 

But, at source, we’re the same 

Pride and unity. 

Passion. Community. 

Different kits 

Different voices  

But all part of the game 

All the heart of the game. 

And our love of the game. 

Makes  

Us 

Us 

END 

Notes to Editors 

1.     Sapio Research: The survey was conducted among 2,100 UK consumers. The interviews were conducted online by Sapio Research in April 2026 using an email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level 

Wednesday 20^th May, London: BT Business is today launching a comprehensive new suite of cyber security tools to help the UK’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) deal with the rapidly escalating threat of cybercrime.

Recent BT research revealed a 300% year-on-year increase in malicious scanning activity, with connected devices now probed an average of 4,000 times a day¹, as AI tools rapidly increase the scale and pace of cyber threats. BT’s latest data shows the company now prevents 4 million cyber attacks across its networks every day.

SMEs are a prime target, with half saying the risk of cyber threats is one of their top tech concerns². Despite this, close to 1.8million businesses, around one in three of the UK’s SME population, still lack even basic cyber protection³, leaving a significant gap in the nation’s defences.

For the first time, BT has launched new AI-powered cyber tools, powered by CrowdStrike, for UK SMEs – giving them access to leading-edge cybersecurity typically reserved for big businesses. Supported by new free cyber support for SMEs and a nationwide marketing campaign, the move reinforces BT Business’ commitment to putting industrial-grade security within reach of every UK business.

Government figures suggest the average cyber breach now costs a UK business £3,550⁴. With 43% of UK businesses having experienced at least one breach or attack in the past year⁵, the need for simple, accessible support has never been more urgent.

Following research showing that over eight in ten SMEs believe personalised, in-person guidance would help them improve their security, BT’s new Cyber Support Hub offers a wealth of free support to help close the UK’s growing cyber resilience gap. Developed in line with National Cyber Security Centre guidance, this gives SMEs access to easy-to-understand assessments, guidance and practical next steps.

BT is now providing the following free tools to UK SMEs:

• Cyber Health Check – a simple self-assessment tool to help SMEs understand their risks, and receive a cyber score and prioritised action plan in response
• Cyber Guides – a dedicated team of cyber advisors offering clear and practical advice by phone, online chat, and in-store
• AI Cyber Assistant – providing 24/7 support to any cyber question, utilising guidance and insights curated by BT’s security experts
• Cyber Support Hub – a platform packed with practical explainers and easy how-to guides, to help SMEs stay one step ahead of cyber threats

Jon James, Chief Executive Officer at BT Business, said: “As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, cyber-attacks are becoming ever more sophisticated. For UK SMEs, this means they now must defend themselves against the same highly complex threats faced by large enterprises, without the resources, expertise or budget to match.

“BT protects more businesses than any other network, so we know the level of threat they face – and because cyber threats don't care about size of your business, neither should the protection we provide our customers. That’s why we’re offering new AI-powered solutions and a range of expert guidance and support, providing big business security to the UK’s small businesses.”

Jonathon Ellison, Director for National Resilience at the National Cyber Security Centre, said: “The cyber threat to UK organisations is increasing and small businesses are certainly not immune from attacks and their potentially devastating consequences.

“Alongside providers like BT, we are working tirelessly to ensure every organisation has the tools they need to put in place the cyber security basics consistently and comprehensively. It is vital that SME owners manage the cyber risks they face by taking action to protect themselves.”

The launch of enhanced AI-powered security for small businesses further expands the range of cyber security solutions BT Business offers to UK public and private sector organisations. Underpinned by CrowdStrike’s leading AI technology, the solution provides real-time monitoring of suspicious activity and rapid automated remediation of potential threats – meaning attacks can be prevented before they impact. To find out more, visit Endpoint Threat Protect . 

ENDS

Notes to editors

The NCSC also provides free support to SMEs through its Cyber Action Toolkit, which is designed to help sole traders and small businesses take their first steps in cyber security. It provides bite-sized actions to help protect their money and reputation from cyber criminals. The toolkit is a strong starting point to help small businesses put in place basic measures and develop confidence to work towards Cyber Essentials - the government-backed certification scheme that demonstrates an organisation meets the recognised UK minimum standard for cyber security.

BT worked with polling house and BPC member, Censuswide, to survey 1,004 decision-makers in small and medium-sized businesses in the UK between 30th January and 4th February 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.

¹ BT network data as of Oct 2025
² BT commissioned research, conducted by Censuswide among 1,004 SME decision-makers between 30^th January and 4^th February 2026
³ BT commissioned research, conducted by Censuswide among 1,004 SME decision-makers between 30^th January and 4^th February 2026. The 1.8 million figure represents 31.28% of the UK’s 5.7 million SMEs, according to UK Parliament data.
⁴ Gov UK Cyber security breaches survey 2025/6
⁵ Gov UK Cyber security breaches survey 2025/6

The new five-year contract will see BT provide services for BAE Systems’ global network which operates across 40 countries. The deal also includes the option to extend for up to a further three years.

Delivery will be underpinned by BT’s leading networks and experience in delivering complex services across the UK, enabling BAE Systems team members to work more flexibly and access digital tools in specialist environments.

The new deal paves the way for BAE Systems to implement new technologies as part of its digital transformation process to bolster operational efficiencies.

The announcement follows BT’s recent launch of a new sovereign platform as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting organisations working in sensitive national roles or needing to meet changing regulations.

The partnership builds on that commitment, focusing on delivering dependable connectivity and security at scale for key sectors including defence, manufacturing and critical national infrastructure.

Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer at BT Business, said: “Networks are mission-critical to BAE Systems. This partnership is about getting those foundations exactly right, and we have decades of experience delivering secure, complex connectivity for critical organisations that need absolute reliability. By combining our resilient networks with advanced security services, we’re giving BAE Systems a platform they can depend on to support the UK’s security, now and into the future.”

Dr Mary Haigh, Director Digital Delivery at BAE Systems, said: “We’re taking a significant step in our transformation of the Digital ecosystem to deliver a secure, insight-led digitally enabled working environment to power operational excellence across BAE Systems. Our partners will play a critical role by unlocking greater agility, pace and innovation across our business.”