SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
05 April 2004
BT Group plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
BT Centre
81 Newgate Street
London
EC1A 7AJ
England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Enclosures: 1. Launch of BT Broadband Basic announcement made on 1 March 2004
2. Transaction in Own Shares announcement made on 1 March 2004
3. Director Shareholding announcement made on 1 March 2004
4. Transcomm First Closing announcement made on 2 March 2004
5. Transaction in Own Shares announcement made on 2 March 2004
6. Director Shareholding annoucement made on 15 March 2004
7. Director Shareholding annoucement made on 15 March 2004
8. Transcomm Offer unconditional announcement made on 15 March
2004
9. Statement re pricing announcement made on 24 March 2004
Enclosure 1
BT BREAKS THROUGH GBP20 BROADBAND PRICE BARRIER
BT today announced plans to further accelerate broadband growth with the launch
of a new cut-price service called BT Broadband Basic.
The new package gives customers a real broadband experience - with surfing
speeds up to ten times that of ordinary dial-up services, but costing just
GBP19.99* a month.
BT Broadband Basic is aimed at those customers who are currently dial-up
users or new to the internet, taking the first step on the broadband ladder.
Duncan Ingram, managing director, BT Openworld, said: "The Basic package
provides a simple to use, low-cost entry level service but with the equivalent
speed of our other broadband products - unlike some of our competitors who offer
so-called low cost broadband packages which, at best, run at half the speed of
BT's basic broadband service.
"Getting not so broad broadband from other providers presents major
limitations on what you can do on the internet, with much more time spent
waiting for things to download, like web pages, music tracks and video clips.
"Other activities such as online gaming could prove frustrating when
players with faster broadband connections constantly leave you standing.
"The launch of BT Broadband Basic represents a major addition to the
creation of Broadband Britain.
"We have broken through the GBP20 price barrier which - combined with the
fact that more than 85 per cent of UK homes and businesses are now connected to
broadband enabled exchanges - means there is an even greater incentive for
people to join the ever growing BT Broadband community.
"Now for just a few pounds more than a dial-up service, customers can enjoy
the benefits of surfing and e-mail at ten times the speed whilst freeing up
their phone line to make and receive calls
"We have kept the Basic package price competitive by designing it around
the basic requirements that many potential customers want from a broadband
service.
"For example, we have included a data allowance of 1Gb a month and designed
our free customer help and support service to be used solely online."
Ingram added: "BT Broadband Basic is just the first initiative in our
future broadband strategy. In the coming weeks we will be announcing a whole
host of portfolio developments and enhancements which will be key in helping BT
hit its five million connections target during 2006."
Notes to Editors:
- BT Broadband Basic operates at up to 512Kb, the same as BT Broadband
and BT Yahoo! Broadband
- *GBP19.99 is the price for Direct Debit Customers (GBP20.99 otherwise)
- Start up price is GBP80 (GBP30 activation fee and GBP50 Modem).
- Basic is available to customers purchasing online via BT.com.
- BT Broadband Basic service features a usage allowance of 1Gb a month.
Provides capability to download:
- 100 large software programs, or
- 10,000 pictures, or
- 200 MP3 music tracks, or
- 650 short videos or
- 20,000 web pages
- BT Broadband Basic is suitable for single PC use only and does not
support home networking.
- Package features a 12 month minimum term contract.
- Sold exclusively with the new Voyager 105 DSL Modem
- A GBP30 fee will be chargeable for customers downgrading from BT
Broadband, BT Yahoo! Broadband or either of BT's 1MB services. In addition
downgrading customers must also pay GBP50 for the Voyager modem.
Competitor offerings:
ISP Speed Rental Activation fee
Tiscali 150Kb GBP15.99 (offer) GBP25 (free at moment)
Ntl 150Kb GBP17.99 GBP50**
Tiscali 256Kb GBP19.99 GBP50
**GBP50 for existing customers, GBP75 for new customers
All prices do not include discount offers on modems and/or activation fees.
For more information please contact:
Jon Carter, BT Retail Press office: 020 7356 4523
Mike Jarvis, BT Retail Press office: 020 7356 6045
About BT's consumer broadband family
BT's broadband family is designed to give consumers the ultimate broadband
internet experience. Our range of simple packages, offering different speeds and
prices, means that no matter what your needs - BT has the answer. The services
within BT's consumer broadband family are:
BT Broadband Basic - 'Fast, no frills' Price: GBP19.99/month (if pay via DD),
GBP30 activation charge and GBP50 modem.
Features & Benefits:
- Up to 10x faster than the speed of dialup
- Ideal for the lighter user, 1 Gig usage allowance per month i.e. 200
music tracks
- Choose your own content and services from the web, access to exclusive
Partner offers
- Unlimited online support
- Telephone support at Premium rate
BT Broadband - 'Freedom to choose'
Price: GBP27/month (if pay via DD)
Features & Benefits:
- Up to 10x faster than the speed of dialup
- Unlimited online & free telephone support
- Choose your own content and services from the web, access to exclusive
Partner offers
- Ideal for sharing broadband across one or more PC's and gaming
BT Yahoo! Broadband - 'A complete package'
Price: GBP29.99/month
Features & Benefits:
- Up to 10x faster than the speed of dialup
- 11 free email addresses, instant messenger and your own web space
- Free firewall, pop up ad-blocker, email protection and parental
controls
- Personalised content for the entire family
- Ideal for sharing broadband across one or more PCs and playing online
games
BT Broadband 1mb - 'Freedom to choose for speed fanatics'
Price: GBP38/month (if pay via DD)
Features & Benefits:
- Up to 20x faster than the speed of dialup
- Get all the benefits of BT Broadband at twice the speed Perfect for
richer content like downloading music or videos
- Unlimited online & free telephone support
BT Yahoo! Broadband 1mb - 'The complete package for speed fanatics'
Price: GBP40.99/month
Features & Benefits:
- Up to 20x faster than the speed of dialup
- Get all the benefits of BT Yahoo Broadband at twice the speed, 11 free
email addresses, instant messenger and your own web space
- Free firewall, pop up ad-blocker, email protection and parental
controls
- Personalised content for the entire family
Enclosure 2
Monday, 1 March 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased through Merrill Lynch
International 3,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 177.35 pence per share.
The purchased shares will all be held as treasury shares.
Following the above purchase, BT Group plc holds 7,700,000 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,626,929,038.
Enclosure 3
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Sir Christopher Bland
Ben Verwaayen
Ian Livingston
Pierre Danon
Andy Green
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the
Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single company PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors following the vesting of
an award to a participant in the BT Group Retention Share Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
n/a
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
138,108 BT Group shares
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
GBP1.763948
13) Date of transaction
01 March 2004
14) Date Company informed
01 March 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
n/a
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following details (17 - 22)
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
No change
23) Any additional information
The above named Directors have technical interests, as at 01 March 2004 under
Schedule 13 to the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
116,819 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan, Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,463,435 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 01 March 2004
End
Enclosure 4
BT GROUP PLC
OFFER FOR TRANSCOMM PLC
Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the USA, Canada or
Japan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 March 2004
British Telecommunications plc
Recommended cash offer
for
Transcomm plc
Level of Acceptances and Extension of the Offer
British Telecommunications plc ("BT") announces that, as at 3.00 p.m. on 1 March
2004, being the first closing date of the Offer, valid acceptances of the Offer
had been received in respect of a total of 82,579,898 Transcomm Shares,
representing approximately 80.31 per cent. of the issued share capital of
Transcomm. The Offer has been extended for a period of 7 days and will,
therefore, remain open for acceptance until 3.00 p.m. on 8 March 2004.
Transcomm Shareholders are advised that if the acceptance condition of the Offer
is not satisfied by 3.00 p.m. on 8 March 2004, BT might not extend the Offer
beyond 8 March 2004, in which case the Offer would lapse. However, BT reserves
the right to extend the Offer, should it wish to do so.
On 23 January 2004, BT announced that it had received irrevocable undertakings
to accept the Offer in respect of 49,652,107 Transcomm Shares, representing
approximately 48.3 per cent. of the issued share capital of Transcomm.
Neither BT, nor any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with BT
for the purpose of the Offer owned, or controlled, any Transcomm Shares or any
rights over any Transcomm Shares immediately prior to the commencement of the
Offer Period. Neither BT, nor any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in
concert with BT for the purposes of the Offer has acquired or (other than
pursuant to the Offer) agreed to acquire any Transcomm Shares or (save for the
irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer referred to in the announcement by
BT on 23 January 2004) any rights over any Transcomm Shares during the Offer
Period. None of the valid acceptances referred to above have been received from
persons acting in concert with BT.
Transcomm Shareholders who have not yet accepted the Offer and who wish to do so
are strongly encouraged to complete and return the Form of Acceptance (whether
or not their Transcomm Shares are held in CREST) as soon as possible and, in any
event, so as to be received by post or (during normal business hours) by hand by
Lloyds TSB Registrars plc, Princess House, 1 Suffolk Lane, London EC4R 0AX by no
later than 3.00 p.m. on 8 March 2004.
Words and expressions defined in the offer document dated 7 February 2004 have
the same meaning in this announcement, unless the context requires otherwise.
The directors of British Telecommunications plc accept responsibility for the
information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and
belief of the directors of British Telecommunications plc (who have taken all
reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in
this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything
likely to affect the import of such information.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United
Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority for designated investment business,
is acting exclusively for BT Group plc and British Telecommunications plc and
for no one else in relation to the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone
other than BT Group plc and British Telecommunications plc for providing the
protections afforded to clients of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or for giving
advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this
document.
The Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of
the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without limitation,
electronic mail, facsimile transmission, telex or telephone) or interstate or
foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities exchange of,
the USA, or in or into Canada or Japan, and, subject to certain exceptions,
the Offer is not capable of acceptance by any such use, means or instrumentality
or facilities or from or within the USA, Canada or Japan. Accordingly, this
announcement is not being made in the USA, Canada or Japan and copies of this
announcement are not being, and must not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded,
transmitted, distributed or sent in, into or from the USA, Canada or Japan.
Doing so may render invalid any purported acceptance of the Offer. Any person
(including, without limitation, nominees, trustees or custodians) who are
overseas persons or who would, or otherwise intend to, forward this announcement
to any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom or to overseas persons should
seek appropriate professional advice before taking any action.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
Enclosure 5
Tuesday, 2 March 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased through Merrill Lynch
International 5,062,000 ordinary shares at a price of 177.36 pence per share.
The purchased shares will all be held as treasury shares.
Following the above purchase, BT Group plc holds 12,762,000 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,621,867,038.
Enclosure 6
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Director in 2) above
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited (as Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan).
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the
Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Monthly purchase of shares under the terms of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan.
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Purchase of 68 shares at 183.75p per share.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
183.75p
13) Date of transaction
12 March 2004
14) Date Company informed
15 March 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
Paul Reynolds:
1. 46,823 ordinary shares - personal holding;
2. 154,140 ordinary shares under BT Incentive Share Plan - contingent award;
3. 156,687 shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
4. 11,999 shares under BT Executive Share Plan - contingent award;
5. Options over 4,555 shares under BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme;
6. Options over 1,457,124 shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan.
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following boxes
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following
this notification
n/a
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has a technical interest, as at 15 March 2004 under
Schedule 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
116,819 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan, Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,601,543 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley, 020 7356 6372
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
Graeme Wheatley
Date of Notification: 15 March 2004
End
Enclosure 7
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Sir Christopher Bland
Ben Verwaayen
Ian Livingston
Pierre Danon
Andy Green
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Ltd
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with the
Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single company PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Recovery of 25,045 BT Group shares by Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited as
Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan from awards made to
non-eligible individuals.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
n/a
13) Date of transaction
12 March 2004
14) Date Company informed
15 March 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
n/a
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following details (17 - 22)
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
No change
23) Any additional information
The above named Directors have technical interests, as at 16 February 2004 under
Schedule 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
141,864 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan, Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,601,543 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 15 March 2004
End
Enclosure 8
BT GROUP PLC
OFFER FOR TRANSCOMM PLC
Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the USA, Canada or
Japan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 March 2004
British Telecommunications plc
Recommended cash offer
for
Transcomm plc
Offer declared unconditional in all respects
British Telecommunications plc ("BT") is pleased to announce that all conditions
relating to the Offer, as set out in the offer document dated 7 February 2004,
have now been satisfied or waived. Accordingly, the Offer has been declared
unconditional in all respects.
The Offer has been extended and will remain open for acceptance until 3.00pm on
5 April 2004.
Transcomm Shareholders are advised that BT might not extend the Offer beyond
3.00pm on 5 April 2004, in which case it would not be possible to accept the
Offer after that time. However, BT reserves the right to extend the Offer should
it wish to do so.
Transcomm Shareholders who have not accepted the Offer are strongly encouraged
to complete and return their Form of Acceptance (whether or not their Transcomm
Shares are held in CREST) as soon as possible to be received by post or (during
normal business hours) by hand by Lloyds TSB Registrars, Princess House, 1
Suffolk Lane, London EC4R 0AX.
By 3.00 p.m. on 15 March 2004 valid acceptances of the Offer had been received
in respect of a total of 90,728,131 Transcomm Shares, representing approximately
88.24 per cent. of the issued share capital of Transcomm.
BT intends to procure that Transcomm applies, as soon as practicable, to the
London Stock Exchange for cancellation of the admission to trading of Transcomm
Shares on AIM. It is anticipated that such cancellation will take effect no
earlier than 8.00 a.m. on 14 April 2004, being the twentieth business day
following the date of this announcement.
Consideration due under the Offer will be despatched by 29 March 2004 in respect
of Transcomm Shares for which valid and complete acceptances had been received
by 3.00 p.m. on 15 March 2004. Consideration due in respect of valid and
complete acceptances received after 3.00 p.m. on 15 March 2004 will be
despatched within 14 days of such receipt.
On 23 January 2004, BT announced that it had received irrevocable undertakings
to accept the Offer in respect of 49,652,107 Transcomm Shares, representing
approximately 48.3 per cent. of the issued share capital of Transcomm.
Neither BT, nor any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with BT
for the purpose of the Offer owned, or controlled, any Transcomm Shares or any
rights over any Transcomm Shares immediately prior to the commencement of the
Offer Period. Neither BT, nor any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in
concert with BT for the purposes of the Offer has acquired or (other than
pursuant to the Offer) agreed to acquire any Transcomm Shares or (save for the
irrevocable undertakings to accept the Offer referred to in the announcement by
BT on 23 January 2004) any rights over any Transcomm Shares during the Offer
Period. None of the valid acceptances referred to above have been received from
persons acting in concert with BT.
Words and expressions defined in the offer document dated 7 February 2004 have
the same meaning in this announcement, unless the context requires otherwise.
The directors of British Telecommunications plc accept responsibility for the
information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and
belief of the directors of British Telecommunications plc (who have taken all
reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in
this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything
likely to affect the import of such information.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United
Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority for designated investment business,
is acting exclusively for BT Group plc and British Telecommunications plc and
for no one else in relation to the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone
other than BT Group plc and British Telecommunications plc for providing the
protections afforded to clients of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or for giving
advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this
document.
The Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of
the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality (including, without
limitation, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, telex or telephone) or
interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities
exchange of, the USA, or in or into Canada or Japan, and, subject to certain
exceptions, the Offer is not capable of acceptance by any such use, means or
instrumentality or facilities or from or within the USA, Canada or Japan.
Accordingly, this announcement is not being made in the USA, Canada or Japan
and copies of this announcement are not being, and must not be, mailed or
otherwise forwarded, transmitted, distributed or sent in, into or from the USA,
Canada or Japan. Doing so may render invalid any purported acceptance of the
Offer. Any person (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees or
custodians) who are overseas persons or who would, or otherwise intend to,
forward this announcement to any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom
or to overseas persons should seek appropriate professional advice before
taking any action.
Enclosure 9
March 24, 2004
BT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT
TO COMPETITIVE PRICING BY ABOLISHING
STANDARD RATE FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
BT today announced plans to abolish its standard rate for residential customers
and introduce a simpler range of low prices as part of its continuing strategy
to make it easier for people to understand phone price comparisons and the value
of what they get.
The plans will make BT cheaper for most UK calls than its major cable rivals.
And even where some of its main non-cable rivals are cheaper for some UK calls,
any differences per month in customer bills are likely to be minimal.
The simplified pricing structure will bring low call charges and reductions in
line rental for all three BT Together fixed monthly-fee options. The changes
will make it easier for customers to compare the value they get from BT with
similar offerings from competitors.
Existing standard rate customers will move to join the five million already on
BT Together Option 1, which will become the benchmark for BT's fixed- line call
prices from July 1. Standard rate customers moving to Option 1 will pay just 3p
a minute in the daytime and 5.5p for up to an hour per call in the evenings and
weekends instead of up to 60p for just local calls at the old rate.
By driving down prices across all three of its Together options, UK national
calls will be cheaper with BT than rivals Telewest and ntl anytime, day or
night.
Gavin Patterson, group managing director, BT Consumer and Ventures, said: "These
changes are the latest developments in our strategy to deliver more simplicity
and value for our customers. They mean that arguments by other operators about
how their prices compare with BT become virtually irrelevant. By driving down
prices and making them simpler to understand, it will be much easier for
customers to see how BT offers great value when compared to its main
competitors. Now it will be far easier for customers to compare like-with-like
when making decisions about their fixed-line phone services.
"The changes will also make BT highly competitive against the majority of its
rivals for UK calls and within a whisker of most of those offering lower rates.
"Our increased competitiveness on price means customers can focus more on the
overall value of what they get. They will need to weigh-up factors like the
service, experience and added-value they can get from an established operator
like BT when compared with what's on offer from more recent entrants to the
market.
"We are determined to fight hard but fair to retain and even grow our share of
the fixed-line market. These changes demonstrate our intention to meet head-on
the twin challenges of carrier pre-selection and wholesale line rental, and
overcome them. Customers will now benefit from simple, low charges. Compared to
Telewest, for instance, there is no contest. With BT, 5.5p gets you up to an
hour of chat. With Telewest, it doesn't even get you connected.
"By abolishing standard rate we have made life even simpler for all our
residential customers - which is what they have told us they want from BT.
Standard rate can be confusing with, for example, six different types of call
price.
"Saving money on phone calls with BT now really is as easy as one, two, three."
BT Together customers will now pay a lower line rental than they were
previously. BT Together Option 1 customers will pay GBP10.50 per month
(previously GBP11.50). They will also pay just 5.5p for up to an hour
(previously 6p an hour) on all evening and weekend calls made in the UK.
For GBP6 a month more(previously GBP7) than Option 1, BT Together Option 2
offers free UK evening and weekend calls, while Option 3 gives free UK daytime,
evening and weekend calls for an additional GBP15 a month (previously GBP18). BT
Together Options 2 and 3 customers will benefit from the revised packages from
April 1 and Option 1 customers from July 1.
For further information:
Jon Carter, BT Retail press office 020 7356 4523
Mike Jarvis, BT Retail press office 020 7356 6045
Notes to editors
Summary of changes
BT Together BT Together Option BT Together Option 3
Option 1 (the 2 (the evening and (the anytime plan)++
hour plan)+ weekend plan)++
GBP10.50 per BT Together Option BT Together Option 1 +
month* 1 + GBP6.00 GBP15.00
(previously i.e. GBP16.50 per i.e. GBP25.50 per month*
GBP11.50) month* (previously GBP28.50)
(previously GBP17.50)
Evenings 5.5 pence for No call charge for No call charge for up
and up to an hour up to an hour per to an hour per call.
Weekends per call. call.
1 pence per 1 pence per minute 1 pence per minute
minute thereafter thereafter
thereafter
Daytime 3 pence per 3 pence per No call charge for up
minute minute to an hour. 3 pence per
minute thereafter
5p minimum 5p minimum call
call charge charge applies
applies
+ new pricing on BT Together Option 1 introduced on July 1 2004
++ new pricing on BT Together Options 2 and 3 introduced on April 1 2004
* charges based on payment of bill by direct debit or monthly payment plan
Comparisons of BT's new pricing structure with competitors
1. -Cost of a 10-minute national call (in pence)
Daytime Evening Weekend
Competitor
BT Together Option 1 30 5.5 5.5
British Gas Choice 1 30 5.9 5.9
Carphone Talk 70 27 5.5 5.5
NTL 6p Plan 35 6 6
One.Tel International Talk 28 28 28
ReachHomecall Standard (Phones4U) 59.3 29.6 11.3
Tele2 25 8 8
Telewest 321 36 26 16
2. -BT Together Option 1 features from July 1 2004 compared with competitors
Monthly Monthly Fees Fixed Call Maximum time
Difference (incl. BT rate for
BT Together line rental, evenings
Option 1 to where and
Competitor appropriate) weekends
BT Together - GBP10.50 5.5p 60 minutes
Option 1
British Gas GBP1.50 more GBP12.00 5.9p 60 minutes
Choice 1
Carphone Talk 70 none GBP10.50 5.5p 70 minutes
Euphony Option 1 GBP2.00 more GBP12.50 4.8p 60 minutes
NTL 6p Plan GBP1.00 more GBP11.50 6.0p 60 minutes
One.Tel GBP1.00 more GBP11.50 5.5p 60 minutes
StandardUKTalk
Reach Homecall GBP1.50 more GBP12.00 6.0p 75 minutes
Standard
(Phones4U)
Tele2 No comparable tariff is offered.
Telewest No comparable tariff is offered.
Figures assume that payment is by monthly Direct Debit.
3. - BT Together Option 2 monthly fees from July 1 2004 compared with
competitors
Plan Monthly Difference Monthly Fees (incl. BT
to BT Together line rental, where
Option 2 appropriate)
BT Together Option 2 - GBP16.50
British Gas Choice 2 none GBP16.50
Carphone Warehouse
Talk 70 1p less GBP16.49
Euphony - Option 2 GBP2.00 more GBP18.50
NTL Talk GBP2.00 more GBP18.50
Unlimited
One.Tel 1p less GBP16.49
LeisureUKTalk
Reach Homecall none GBP16.50
Off-Peak 25
(Phones4U)
Tele2 N/A Not available
Telewest - Talk GBP1.00 more GBP17.50
Evening and
Weekends
Figures assume that payment is by monthly Direct Debit.
4. - BT Together Option 3 monthly fees from July 1 2004 compared with
competitors
Plan Monthly Difference to Monthly Fees (incl. BT line
BT Together Option 3 rental, where appropriate)
BT Together Option 3 - GBP25.50
British Gas - none GBP25.50
Choice 3
Carphone Talk 70 GBP2.01 less GBP23.49
Unlimited
Euphony - Option 3 GBP4.00 more GBP29.50
NTL Talk Unlimited 24 50p less GBP25.00
One.Tel 1p less GBP25.49
TotalUKTalk
Reach Homecall 2p less GBP24.48
Anytime 25
(Phones4U)
Tele2 N/A Not available
Telewest 50p more GBP26.00
TalkUnlimited
Figures assume that payment is by monthly Direct Debit.
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
-BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including BT
Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
-BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
-BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider, serving
multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is the top 10,000
global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727m. with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829m.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BT Group PLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Patricia Day
--------------------
Patricia Day, Assistant Secretary. Head of Shareholder Services
Date 05 April 2004