Young people in Llanelli have been putting their creativity and problem-solving abilities to the test as part of an interactive BT event helping pupils prepare for the changing world of work.  

A total of 48 pupils from St. John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School took part in BT’s Work Ready programme, getting hands-on with how technology is shaping careers and exploring the skills they may need in the years ahead.

The activities included a real-world innovation challenge, which tasked pupils with designing a product to help young people study effectively. Working in teams, pupils developed ideas before presenting their solutions back to the wider class.

BT staff joined pupils throughout the day, supporting them through the challenge and bringing the world of work to life by sharing their own career experiences – offering insights into their day-to-day roles, the skills they use most often and the different routes they took into their careers.  

The Llanelli workshop is the latest Work Ready session to be hosted in Wales. Created by BT to help prepare young people for their future careers, Work Ready is a programme for 11 to 14-year-olds that builds the practical, digital and human-centric skills needed for the changing world of work.

Since June 2025, 178 young people have taken part in face-to-face sessions across Wales. A further 157 pupils have participated in online sessions, taking the total number reached in Wales to more than 330 students.

Michael Kent, Assistant Headteacher at St. John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School, said: “It was great to see pupils getting involved in the activities working together and having the confidence to share their ideas with the class. Opportunities like this can make a real difference and having support from organisations like BT gives our pupils the chance to meet people from the world of work, hear about their experiences and get a better sense of the different paths open to them.”

Susi Marston, Head of Public Sector Wales at BT Business, added: “Technology has the power to create opportunity across Wales, but only if people have the skills and confidence to make the most of it. That’s why programmes like Work Ready are so important. By giving pupils practical experience and encouraging them to think creatively, we're helping them explore future career opportunities and build skills that will support them throughout their lives. It’s fantastic to see young people in Llanelli engaging with these opportunities and developing the confidence to succeed in an increasingly digital world.”

The Work Ready programme is part of BT’s purpose to Connect for Good and its wider ambition to reach 30 million people and businesses with the digital skills, tools and support they need by 2030. 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. 

Across Wales, BT Group is investing in the digital infrastructure that underpins opportunity across Wales. More than eight in 10 Welsh homes can now access full fibre broadband through Openreach’s network, while EE’s 4G and 5G networks reach 99% and 93% of the Welsh population respectively, including through work in rural communities such as Penmachno and Clocaenog. Backed by more than £40 billion of planned UK infrastructure investment between 2020 and 2030, BT Group is helping people, businesses and communities build the skills and connectivity they need to thrive in a digital world.

Rhaglen Barod am Waith BT yn helpu disgyblion Llanelli i feithrin sgiliau ar gyfer gyrfaoedd y dyfodolRhaglen Barod am Waith BT yn helpu disgyblion Llanelli i feithrin sgiliau ar gyfer gyrfaoedd y dyfodol

Mae pobl ifanc yn Llanelli wedi bod yn rhoi eu creadigrwydd a’u gallu i ddatrys problemau ar brawf fel rhan o ddigwyddiad rhyngweithiol gan BT sy’n helpu disgyblion i baratoi ar gyfer byd gwaith sy’n newid.

Cymerodd 48 o ddisgyblion o  Ysgol Gatholig Sant Ioan Llwyd ran yn rhaglen Barod am Waith BT, gan gael profiad ymarferol o sut mae technoleg yn llywio gyrfaoedd ac archwilio’r sgiliau y gallai fod eu hangen arnynt yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.

Roedd y gweithgareddau’n cynnwys her arloesi yn seiliedig ar sefyllfa go iawn, lle cafodd y disgyblion y dasg o ddylunio cynnyrch i helpu pobl ifanc i astudio’n effeithiol. Gan weithio mewn timau, datblygodd y disgyblion eu syniadau cyn cyflwyno eu datrysiadau i weddill y dosbarth.

Ymunodd staff BT â’r disgyblion drwy gydol y dydd, gan eu cefnogi drwy’r her  ac animeiddio byd gwaith drwy rannu eu profiadau gyrfa eu hunain. Roedd hyn yn rhoi cipolwg i’r disgyblion ar eu rolau o ddydd i ddydd, y sgiliau maent yn eu defnyddio amlaf a’r gwahanol lwybrau a gymerwyd ganddynt i mewn i’w gyrfaoedd.

Gweithdy Llanelli yw’r sesiwn Barod am Waith ddiweddaraf i gael ei chynnal yng Nghymru. Crëwyd Barod am Waith gan BT i helpu pobl ifanc i baratoi ar gyfer eu gyrfaoedd yn y dyfodol. Mae’n rhaglen ar gyfer pobl ifanc rhwng 11 a 14 oed sy’n datblygu’r sgiliau ymarferol, digidol a dynol sydd eu hangen ar gyfer byd gwaith sy’n newid.

Ers mis Mehefin 2025, mae 178 o bobl ifanc wedi cymryd rhan mewn sesiynau wyneb yn wyneb ledled Cymru. Mae 157 o ddisgyblion eraill wedi cymryd rhan mewn sesiynau ar-lein, gan olygu bod cyfanswm o fwy na 330 o ddisgyblion wedi cael eu cyrraedd yng Nghymru.

Dywedodd Michael Kent, Pennaeth Cynorthwyol yn  Ysgol Gatholig Sant Ioan Llwyd: “Roedd yn wych gweld y disgyblion yn cymryd rhan yn y gweithgareddau, yn gweithio gyda’i gilydd ac yn magu’r hyder i rannu eu syniadau gyda’r dosbarth. Gall cyfleoedd fel hyn wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol, ac mae cael cefnogaeth gan sefydliadau fel BT yn rhoi cyfle i’n disgyblion gwrdd â phobl o fyd gwaith, clywed am eu profiadau a chael gwell syniad o’r gwahanol lwybrau sydd ar gael iddynt.”

Ychwanegodd Susi Marston, Pennaeth Sector Cyhoeddus Cymru yn BT Business: “Mae gan dechnoleg y gallu i greu cyfleoedd ledled Cymru, ond dim ond os oes gan bobl y sgiliau a’r hyder i wneud y gorau ohoni. Dyna pam mae rhaglenni fel Barod am Waith mor bwysig. Drwy roi profiad ymarferol i ddisgyblion a’u hannog i feddwl yn greadigol, rydym yn eu helpu i archwilio cyfleoedd gyrfa yn y dyfodol ac i feithrin sgiliau a fydd o gymorth iddynt  ar hyd eu hoes. Mae’n wych gweld pobl ifanc yn Llanelli yn manteisio ar y cyfleoedd hyn ac yn datblygu’r hyder i lwyddo mewn byd sy’n fwyfwy digidol.”

Mae rhaglen Barod am Waith yn rhan o ddiben BT i  Gysylltu er Gwell a’i uchelgais ehangach i gyrraedd 30 miliwn o bobl a busnesau gyda’r sgiliau digidol, yr offer a’r gefnogaeth sydd eu hangen arnynt erbyn 2030. Mae’n cyd-fynd â’r gwaith o gyflwyno band eang newydd sy’n gallu darparu cyflymderau gigabit gan Openreach fel rhan o Project Gigabit, rhaglen llywodraeth y DU i ddod â band eang cyflym a dibynadwy i ardaloedd anodd eu cyrraedd.

Ledled Cymru, mae BT Group yn buddsoddi yn y seilwaith digidol sy’n sail i gyfleoedd ledled y wlad. Bellach gall mwy nag wyth o bob 10 cartref yng Nghymru gael mynediad at fand eang ffeibr llawn drwy rwydwaith Openreach, tra bod rhwydweithiau 4G a 5G EE yn cyrraedd 99% a 93% o boblogaeth Cymru yn y drefn honno, gan gynnwys drwy waith mewn cymunedau gwledig fel Penmachno a Chlocaenog. Gyda mwy na £40 biliwn o fuddsoddiad arfaethedig mewn seilwaith ledled y DU rhwng 2020 a 2030, mae BT Group yn helpu pobl, busnesau a chymunedau i feithrin y sgiliau a chael y cysylltedd sydd eu hangen arnynt i ffynnu mewn byd digidol.

BT Group today announced that its EE 5G+ network now covers over 80% of the UK population, bringing its fastest and most advanced mobile connectivity to more communities across the country just over two years since launch. Customers are also increasingly taking advantage of the technology, with 5G+ now carrying more than 10% of all data traffic across EE's network, double the level a year ago.

As 5G+ coverage and usage grow, BT is also investing in technologies that could take the network further, including plans to bring AI-RAN out of the lab and onto EE’s live network for the first time next year.

The latest places to benefit from 5G+ include Bicester, Chester and Durham in England; Portrush and Strabane in Northern Ireland; Neath and Penarth in Wales; and Greenock, Alexandria and parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park in Scotland – with EE remaining firmly on track towards its ambition for 5G+ to cover 99% of the UK population by the end of March 2030.

The milestone is part of a broader push to make EE’s network faster, smarter and more responsive as customer demand grows. Over the past year, BT has introduced a series of 5G+ innovations to improve customers’ experience, including five-carrier aggregation to boost download speeds and an expanded rollout of ARC technology to dynamically increase capacity in busy locations. Customers can also take advantage of Fast Lane, launched in August as the UK's first commercial network slice, providing consumers and small businesses with dedicated 5G+ connectivity at the busiest times on the network.

BT is also looking at how AI could make mobile networks more responsive to customers' needs, building on how the technology is already helping to optimise and protect the network for customers. Working with NVIDIA and Nokia, BT plans to bring its first AI-RAN sites online in Birmingham next year, moving the technology from laboratory testing to its live EE network. If successful, AI-RAN could help provide faster data speeds, more consistent connections and allow the network to respond more intelligently as customer demand changes.

Greg McCall, Chief Security and Networks Officer, BT Group said: “We’re seeing real momentum behind 5G+ as we progress towards our goal of 99% population coverage by 2030 – both in the pace of our rollout and in the amount of data customers are now using over the network. But reaching more people is only part of the story. We’re continuing to invest in making the network smarter and more responsive too, exploring technologies such as AI-RAN that could help us stay ahead of growing demand and deliver an even better experience for customers.”

BT is also increasing the capacity behind EE’s mobile network so that customers can continue to enjoy fast, reliable connectivity as data use grows. This includes recently setting a new benchmark for microwave capacity, successfully delivering its first 2.8Gbps microwave link, 40 per cent more capacity than its previous 2Gbps benchmark. Microwave links play an important role in connecting mobile sites into the wider network, particularly where fibre may not be the most practical option – for example in rural or semi-rural locations – helping to carry the growing volumes of data generated as customers make greater use of 5G and 5G+.

The deployment makes more effective use of EE's existing spectrum alongside BT's expanding fibre infrastructure, demonstrating how the two can work together to increase the capacity available across the mobile network. It also provides a blueprint for potential future high-capacity microwave deployments as mobile data demand continues to grow.

BT Group is one of the biggest investors into UK infrastructure and will have invested more than £40bn into the country between 2020 and 2030. The impact of BT’s continued investment is also being seen in customers’ everyday network experience. Ofcom’s latest Mobile Matters report found that EE delivered the strongest overall performance of the UK’s four mobile networks, as well as the most consistent performance across the UK nations.

13 October 2026, London: BT today announced it is deepening its partnership with Microsoft to help UK organisations strengthen their cyber defences against increasingly complex AI-powered threats. The expanded collaboration brings together Microsoft security technology with BT’s scale, security operations and network insight to deliver more pre-emptive, predictive cyber defence for public and private sector organisations in a simple to manage package.

AI is rapidly increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber-attacks. The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2026 outlines how AI is changing the physics of cybersecurity and compressing attack timelines, with the average time from discovery to weaponisation of security vulnerabilities having now fallen to well below 24 hours¹.

To help UK organisations respond, BT is launching Security Operations Centre-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) for Microsoft Sentinel, a UK-managed service that combines Sentinel with BT’s advanced security operations expertise, threat intelligence and experience. The launch reflects the deepening strategic relationship between BT and Microsoft across AI, security and cloud services, and builds on BT’s experience as an established managed security provider for Microsoft Sentinel.

The service is supported by BT’s expertise as one of the UK’s most trusted cyber defenders, with the company blocking around four million attempted cyber-attacks every day and protecting more businesses than any other network. Unlike other providers, BT combines Sentinel, managed operations, threat intelligence and UK cyber expertise in one service — helping customers cut complexity, control costs and improve detection, response and resilience.

Jon James, CEO, BT Business, said: “AI is transforming the cyber threat landscape at unprecedented speed, and our customers need protection that stays one step ahead. By extending our partnership with Microsoft, we’re combining cutting-edge security technology with BT’s cyber expertise and threat intelligence to deliver stronger, more proactive protection. It’s the latest example of how we’re helping organisations build resilience and defend against the next generation of AI-powered threats.”

Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK & Ireland, said: “AI is increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats. By combining Microsoft Sentinel with BT’s managed security expertise and UK cyber operations, we can help organisations simplify security, strengthen resilience and respond with greater confidence.”

BT SOCaaS for Microsoft Sentinel is the latest in a series of intelligence-led, AI-powered cyber solutions BT provides for UK organisations, building on the recent launch of new cyber tools and support designed to bring enterprise-grade security within reach of small businesses. By combining managed security operations, continuous threat exposure management and AI-enabled capabilities, BT helps customers tackle the emerging risks of frontier AI by reducing risk, improve visibility and strengthen resilience as cyber threats continue to rapidly evolve.

To find out more about BT Business’ next-generation SOCaaS for Microsoft Sentinel, please visit: SOCaaS For Microsoft Sentinel | Managed Security Operations

¹ Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2026 | Microsoft

LONDON, 5^th October 2026 - BT Group today announced that it has acquired TalkTalk Telecommunications Limited and PlatformX Communications Limited out of the administration of TalkTalk Group on a debt-free basis. The estimate of the total cash impact in FY27 is c£400m, comprising both consideration and other cash impacts.

After a prolonged, but ultimately unsuccessful, sale process for TalkTalk’s consumer and wholesale (PXC) operations, BT recognised the risk to the country, and especially vulnerable customers and key public services, should the company collapse. BT therefore approached the Directors of TalkTalk and offered to step in immediately, in the public interest, to protect customers and critical national infrastructure.

By acquiring the business out of administration, BT will be providing much needed and immediate reassurance for TalkTalk's employees, its 1.5 million retail customers and its 1 million wholesale customers across the UK. This includes vulnerable households, and connections that support critical national infrastructure providers across health, emergency services, defence, education, transport, banking and government.

During the last 12 months, TalkTalk reported revenues of c£1.2bn and was loss-making. Over a period of time and through the integration into BT Group, the acquisition will become value accretive as the business is stabilised and synergies are realised.

BT expects a regulatory review of the transaction to take place over the coming weeks, pending which TalkTalk and BT will operate separately and continue to compete.

Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive of BT Group, said: “This is a genuinely unprecedented situation, where millions of citizens and businesses were at risk if TalkTalk had collapsed. BT is the digital backbone of the country, with a presence in every postcode. We have been connecting the nation for generations, stepping up in the moments that matter, and BT acquiring TalkTalk is now the only viable option to keep millions of customers connected and supported.

“Our immediate priority is to stabilise the business and provide a safety net for the households and businesses who rely on TalkTalk. Once the regulatory process has been concluded, TalkTalk’s customers will benefit from access to the UK’s best network, and the full range of market-leading products and services that BT offers. And, over a period of time, the transaction will create value for all our stakeholders – customers, colleagues, the country, and our owners.”

BT has also confirmed that Clive Selley CBE, with immediate effect, will lead the stabilisation and integration planning of the acquisition. Martijn Blanken will take over Clive’s role as CEO of BT International, in addition to being CEO-Designate of BT’s proposed international joint venture with Verizon.

BT is today reconfirming all FY27 and multi-year financial outlook metrics, including the inflection in Normalised Free Cash Flow to c£2.0bn in the current year, FY27, and to c£3.0bn by the end of the decade excluding the effects of this transaction.

Specifically, for FY27 BT will report the acquired business as a separate reportable segment. The estimate of the total cash impact of the acquisition in FY27 is c£400m, comprising consideration, transaction and administration costs, working capital impacts as well as a trading loss for the balance of this fiscal year of c£60m and non-receipt of c£100m otherwise due to Openreach.

BT will provide further details on the effects of the acquisition on revenue, EBITDA and capex following alignment of TalkTalk’s financial reporting to BT’s accounting policies and completion of acquisition accounting later this fiscal year.

BT remains committed to its credit rating target of BBB+/Baa1 and minimum rating of BBB/Baa2, and to grow its dividend by low to mid single digit percent per annum in FY27 and onwards until metrics consistent with a BBB+ credit rating are reached; thereafter residual cash flow will be available for enhanced distributions to shareholders.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

BT Group is one of the biggest investors into UK infrastructure and will have invested more than £40bn into the country between 2020 and 2030. The company supports more businesses than any other network, and connects more homes than anyone else, through its four trusted brands: BT, EE, Plusnet and Openreach.

BT continues to deliver on its plans to build the UK’s best networks – bringing full fibre connectivity to 30 million homes and businesses and 5G+ mobile to 99% of the population – to connect the country, and to accelerate its transformation, in support of national resilience and growth. This includes reaching 30 million people and businesses with the digital skills, tools and support they need by 2030.

London, UK, 1^st October: BT Business today launched AI from BT, a new portfolio of practical and secure solutions designed to help UK businesses adopt AI with confidence and drive UK growth. The move reflects BT's ambition to help businesses unlock the benefits of AI, while overcoming the complexity, uncertainty and security concerns that continue to hold many organisations back.

New BT research reveals that while almost two thirds of small business owners (65%) believe AI could significantly benefit their business, more than half (56%) say they are not yet realising its full potential. Many are unsure where to start, needing a trusted partner to help them adopt AI securely and use it effectively. As the UK’s largest provider of business connectivity and technology solutions, BT is uniquely placed to provide this support.

BT is launching AI Receptionist, a new, powerful tool to help businesses manage customer enquiries around the clock and ensure they never miss another call. To support small businesses with AI, BT is also launching a free AI Adoption Hub. The Hub provides practical guides, prompt packs, expert insights, and real-world examples of businesses using AI, giving businesses the confidence to unlock the value of AI and work smarter and safer.

Research reveals small businesses are struggling to keep up with customer enquiries and losing out on growth as a result - with over two thirds (67%) saying on an average day they miss at least one call that they believe results in losing business. The findings also detail the commercial opportunity for small businesses, with a predicted £3.7 billion revenue being lost annually due to not always being able to answer the phone.

Phone calls remain the number one preferred way to contact a business, but failing to answer has a major impact on purchasing decisions. 75% of potential customers will give businesses three call attempts before giving up on them, and 58% of respondents said they would go so far as telling friends and family to avoid businesses that failed to pick up.

Jon James, CEO, BT Business, said: “AI has the potential to be a huge boost to small businesses and to drive the UK’s growth, but many businesses are struggling to know how to begin and how to adopt simply and securely. That's why BT - the UK’s most trusted network for business - has created AI from BT: a portfolio of practical, secure AI solutions backed by BT's expertise and support.

AI Receptionist is the first step in the journey, helping businesses capture every opportunity, reduce admin and deliver responsive, personalised service around the clock, while keeping their customer data protected."

Michelle Ovens, CEO and Founder, Small Business Britain, said: "Small businesses can often feel they are fighting a losing battle, having to cover everything from finance and HR to marketing with limited headcount. AI can be an incredible help, and when utilised correctly, it is a cost-effective and fast way of managing the front line of customer service. We know that time-poor customers want quick resolutions, and when businesses can't provide this, revenue is lost. For small businesses, that can be the difference between being able to grow and expand, or not."

With nearly three fifths (58%) of small and medium-sized businesses spending between 30 minutes and two hours every day answering customer phone calls, and 85% saying this interrupts their ability to complete other work, AI Receptionist provides a range of services to help organisations concentrate on growing their business:

• Always-on service: Answers calls 24/7 and handles routine enquiries
• Simpler appointment management: Schedules appointments, sends confirmations and integrates with Outlook and Google Calendar
• Better follow-up: Captures and transcribes conversations and generates insights from customer interactions
• A tailored customer experience: Learns from business information and offers customisable voice and accent options

It is designed for sectors where incoming calls are an important route to bookings or new work, including:

• Trades and field-based businesses: capturing enquiries and arranging appointments while people are on-site
• Estate agents: qualifying enquiries, routing callers and helping arrange viewings
• Healthcare and professional practices: handling routine appointment requests and directing callers to the appropriate team
• Legal and financial services: capturing initial information and connecting clients to the right specialist
• Retailers: answering product, availability and promotion questions while employees support customers in-store
• Pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses: answering booking and opening-hours enquiries while staff serve customers

BT’s AI Receptionist is available on flexible contracts and can be set up quickly through a self-service portal, enabling businesses to begin using AI with minimal technical expertise. It works across any UK fixed or mobile network, allowing businesses to keep their existing number without changing or replacing their phone system – and is built with security in mind, with customer data remaining private and not used to train AI models.

The launch will be supported by a major above-the-line advertising campaign that uses a busy pub to show how AI tools from the UK’s most trusted network for business can manage routine tasks and allow businesses to concentrate on customers. The campaign spans television, video-on-demand, radio, digital audio, podcast sponsorships, social, out-of-home and in pub activations.

For more information on AI from BT, please visit: business.bt.com/ai-for-business

ENDS

Note to Editors:

Methodology

BT Business commissioned research with Censuswide, a member of the British Polling Committee, to understand how the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses use AI and handle customer calls, alongside how consumers experience trying to reach businesses. The SME survey sampled 1,500 decision makers aged 25+ at UK SMEs (businesses with fewer than 250 employees) across all 12 UK regions, with fieldwork between 23 and 28 September 2026. The consumer survey sampled 2,000 UK adults aged 18+, nationally representative, with fieldwork between 23 and 25 September 2026.

Economic modelling to estimate revenue lost to missed calls

The estimate uses findings from the SME survey, which asked respondents how much revenue their business had lost to missed calls so far this year. Each banded answer was valued at its midpoint, “don’t know” responses were excluded. As fieldwork took place in late September, answers were treated as covering nine months and scaled up to a full year (multiplied by 12/9). Business numbers and turnover come from the Department for Business and Trade's Business Population Estimates 2025.

1–9 employees: average annual loss of £1,597 × 1,150,875 businesses = £1.84bn

10–49 employees: average annual loss of £3,753 × 220,085 businesses = £0.83bn. This equals 0.106% of the band’s total turnover (£776.2bn).

50–249 employees: 0.106% × total turnover of £948.6bn = £1.01bn. Respondents in this band reported implausibly low losses relative to turnover, so the 10–49 share of turnover was applied instead of their answers.

Total: £3.67bn a year, or approximately £71m a week. The figure is based on respondents’ own estimates and is indicative.

The launch marks an important milestone for the BT brand, completing its connected offering across broadband, TV and mobile. Customers can now bring all three services together with a provider they know and trust, making it easier to stay connected, entertained and in control.

BT TV also reflects BT’s broader strategic commitment of serving different customer needs through its family of brands. With more ways to watch than ever before, many households now juggle multiple apps, subscriptions and devices to access the content they love. BT TV cuts through that complexity by bringing live TV, streaming services and premium content together in one place, making it easier for customers to discover, access and enjoy their favourite entertainment and sport content.

What sets BT TV apart from the rest of the industry is that it is one of the only providers to bring live sport, live TV and streaming together in one place, while also giving customers the freedom to choose the viewing experience that works best for them.

The BT TV Box Pro combines the convenience of streaming with the ability to pause, rewind live TV and record over 600 hours of TV, so you never miss a moment. For those who prefer a simpler streaming experience, the compact BT TV Box Edge makes it easy to access and save favourite on-demand and catch-up shows. Combined with a single search experience that brings content from multiple services together in one place, BT TV helps customers find the entertainment and sport they love more easily, so they can spend less time searching and more time watching.

Luciano Oliveira, Managing Director Products, Consumer, BT, said:

Finding something great to watch shouldn’t mean navigating a maze of apps, subscriptions and devices. We’ve designed BT TV to bring customers’ entertainment and sport together, making it easier to find what they love, and giving them the freedom to watch live, record their favourites and catch-up when it suits them. Combined with BT broadband, it gives customers a simpler, more complete connected experience from the provider they know and trust.

As television continues to evolve and more viewing moves online, customers are looking for easier ways to find and enjoy the content they love. BT TV has been designed to meet that need, combining entertainment, sport, connectivity and intuitive features in one seamless experience, while supporting the future of television in the UK.

• BT is launching its first major campaign since the brand relaunched in May with ‘Behind Brilliant Things’, strengthening its broadband leadership by highlighting its superior online protection credentials.
• The campaign highlights how BT Broadband helps protect customers from scams, malware and other online threats, giving them greater confidence at home and on the move.
• Following recent recognition as the UK’s best broadband by Ookla¹, the campaign explains how BT Broadband’s advanced threat protection - Hub Threat Protect and Cyber Threat Protect - keeps customers safer online.
• Created by Uncommon, the work will run across TV, out-of-home, radio, social and digital, with media planned and bought by OpenConnect, part of WPP Media and out-of-home agency Posterscope.

BT today launches its first major brand campaign since the brand relaunched in May with ‘Behind Brilliant Things’. Created by Uncommon, with media planned by WPP Media’s OpenConnect, the campaign will run across TV, out-of-home, radio, social and digital to show households across the UK how the UK’s best broadband helps keep them protected, connected and confident online.

The campaign builds on the ‘Behind Brilliant Things’ platform by bringing the role of broadband protection into sharper focus and showing how BT is ‘Protecting Brilliant Things’ for customers, keeping them safe every day from online threats. With more daily tasks, entertainment, work, learning and communication taking place online, BT is positioning advanced protection as an essential part of a quality household broadband connection - not an optional add-on.

BT's advanced threat protection combines Hub Threat Protect and Cyber Threat Protect to deliver both network and device-level protection. Together they help customers stay safer online, with Hub Threat Protect currently blocking more than 10.36 million threats every month and Cyber Threat Protect having blocked more than 2 million threats since launch.

The campaign creative has been led by Uncommon, and launches with a 30s film; the ad follows Yorkshire’s Wharfedale Bee Keepers Association as its members deal with the very real threat posed by invasive hornets. Told through an authentic documentary style, the film uses one of the UK’s most passionate communities as a metaphor for BT’s advanced threat protection - drawing a meaningful parallel between protecting a hive and helping protect the connected home.

Helen Whetton, Brand and Marketing Director at BT, said: “Nobody understands and serves British communities quite like BT. Building on the hugely impactful BT relaunch earlier this year, this campaign celebrates the brilliant things those communities do every day, while shining a light on how BT Broadband helps households stay connected and protected. Our advanced threat protection combines Hub Threat Protect and Cyber Threat Protect, delivering network and device-level protection to help keep customers safer online and giving them greater confidence to get on with the things that matter most.”

Josh Tenser, Executive Creative Director, Uncommon Creative Studio, said: "It's a privilege to be rebuilding such an iconic brand by documenting modern British life in a new and cinematic way. We wanted these films to be the gold standard of "hard working" product messages by embedding them in soulful, visually stunning portraits of real British communities".

Kate Rowlinson at WPP Media’s OpenConnect, said: “This campaign is all about making online protection feel real and relevant to households across the UK. By combining high-impact media with trusted environments across TV, OOH, radio, social and digital, we've been able to bring the risks that people face online to life, while showing how BT Broadband helps keep customers connected, protected and confident every day.”

Creative agency: Uncommon Creative Studio
Production company: Uncommon Creative Studio
Director: Elena Heatherwick

Notes to editors

• ¹ BT and EE score historic double award win as studies reveal UK’s best connectivity, BT Group Newsroom, 4 August 2026: BT Group Newsroom award-win release.
• BT Broadband includes advanced threat protection designed to help customers stay safer online. This includes:

· Hub Threat Protect (included for new customers with a Smart Hub 3) helps protect the home network by helping block suspicious and malicious activity before it reaches devices connected to the home Wi-Fi.

· Cyber Threat Protect provides device-level protection, helping safeguard personal devices against scams, malware and other online threats.

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.

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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.