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
01 July 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. 21st Century Network announcement released on 09 June 2004
2. 21st Century Network Trials announcement released on 09 June
2004
3. Annual Report and Accounts announcement released on 09 June
2004
4. Transaction in Own Shares announcement released on 10 June 2004
5. Director Shareholding announcement released on 14 June 2004
6. Response to Ofcom review announcement released on 22 June 2004
7. Transaction in Own Shares announcement released on 22 June 2004
8. Transaction in Own Shares announcement released on 23 June 2004
9. Director Shareholding announcement released on 25 June 2004
10. Director Shareholding announcement released on 25 June 2004
11. Director Shareholding announcement released on 25 June 2004
12. Director Shareholding announcement released on 25 June 2004
13. Director Shareholding announcement released on 25 June 2004
14. Transaction in Own Shares announcement released on 25 June 2004
15. Director Shareholding announcement released on 28 June 2004
16. Director Shareholding announcement released on 29 June 2004
17. Broadband price cuts announcement released on 30 June 2004
18. Broadband rollout announcement released on 30 June 2004
Enclosure 1.
NR0444 June 9, 2004
BT ANNOUNCES NETWORK TRANSFORMATION TIMETABLE
- Mass migration of customers from PSTN to IP based network to begin in 2006
- Majority of customers' PSTN services on IP network by 2008
- Trials of voice services on IP network and fibre to the premises announced
- Increase in customer choice, control and service flexibility
BT today set out the timetable for the transformation of its UK networks. It
announced a five year programme to underpin the next generation of converged,
multimedia communications services. Mass migration of customers onto the new
network will begin in 2006 with the majority due to be completed in 2008.
BT's 21st century network (21CN) programme will create the enabling
infrastructure for the growth of BT and the UK telecommunications industry. It
is set to completely transform BT's networks, delivering increased customer
choice and control.
BT Wholesale chief executive Paul Reynolds said: "The 21CN programme will
deliver our vision of a converged, multimedia world where our customers can
access any communications service from any device, anywhere - and at broadband
speed.
"21CN will drive a radical simplification of BT's operations including
significantly lower costs and the capability to launch new services to market
faster than we can today. It will empower all our customers, giving them
control, choice and flexibility like never before."
The major elements of BT Group's overall strategy including ICT, mobility,
broadband, netcentricity and portfolio transformation are underpinned by the
21CN initiative.
Over the next five years 21CN will transform BT's business and its cost base,
removing duplication across the current multiple service specific networks and
creating a single multi-service network. Total capital spend on the 21CN
transformation will be within the previously announced BT capital expenditure
envelope of GBP3 billion per annum. From this year about two thirds of the
annual spend is directed to 21CN and other new and intermediate technologies and
this proportion is expected to increase. That investment in future
infrastructure will enable BT to deliver growing cash savings which are expected
to amount to GBP1 billion per annum by 2008/9.
An early deliverable of this transformation is the first phase of the migration
of services from the existing UK public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a
multi-service internet protocol (IP) based network which will carry both voice
and data services.* As a precursor to large scale migration of voice and other
PSTN based services from 2006, the first stage will involve the bypass of the
core PSTN network link between two major network nodes at Cambridge and
Woolwich. An extension is planned later to Faraday exchange in London.
An initial 1,000 customers served by local exchanges connected to Cambridge and
Woolwich will trial end to end voice and data services over the core IP network
link.
Paul Reynolds said: "Today the 21CN vision starts to become reality. This is
among the most important and ambitious infrastructure transformation programmes
in communications anywhere in the world and will put Britain at the forefront of
communications innovation.
"But 21CN is more than a next generation network. It's about providing and
supporting the next generation of services for all our customers; it's about
supporting and generating revenues and profits for shareholders, and it's about
supporting and delivering for the communications industry and the economy as a
whole."
In addition to making broadband available from exchanges serving
99.6 per cent of people by summer 2005, BT is aiming to have broadband dialtone
available to most of its customers in the UK in five years time. Customers will
be in control of their own services and will immediately be able to switch the
line to broadband use themselves without requiring physical work at the
exchange, whatever device they use to access the broadband network.
BT also today announced trials to test the technical and commercial issues
associated with the possible deployment of fibre optic cable in the UK local
access network. These limited trials are looking particularly at the economics
associated with providing services to new build and greenfield site
developments.*
BT is today formally launching the procurement process to select long term
suppliers, which may not necessarily be those involved in the trials and early
implementation stages. Contracts for the main rollout phases will be awarded
following a formal competitive tendering process which will be concluded by the
end of 2004.
Note to editors:
* For details of the trial migration of voice services onto an IP based network
and the fibre to the premises trial see BT news release NR0445 issued today June
9, 2004.
Photographs of Paul Reynolds, BT Wholesale chief executive, and 21st Century
Networks related images are available via BT's picture library hosted by
Vismedia at www.vismedia.co.uk
A live webcast of BT's press conference will be available at 10.30am British
Summer Time June 9, 2004, at www.btplc.com/presentation.
---------------------------------------------
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All
news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Forward-looking statements - caution advised
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and are made in
reliance on the safe harbour provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, those
concerning: transformation of BT's networks and cost base; benefits to customers
of the 21CN programme; anticipated capital spend on 21CN transformation and
expected cash savings; timescales for delivery of 21CN; and delivery of
instantly available broadband.
Although BT believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will
prove to have been correct. Because these statements involve risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by these forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause differences between actual results and those implied by
the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: material adverse
changes in economic and financial markets conditions in the markets served by
BT; future regulatory actions and conditions in BT's operating areas;
technological innovations; developments in the convergence of technologies; and
the anticipated benefits and advantages of new technologies, products and
services, including broadband, not being realised. BT undertakes no obligation
to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice and data services in the UK and overseas, particularly in
Europe, but also in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. British
Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, 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 2004, BT's turnover was GBP18,519million with profit
before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of GBP2,016million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
Enclosure 2.
NR0445 June 9, 2004
BT TO SWITCH VOICE CALLS TO IP AS 21ST CENTURY NETWORK TAKES SHAPE
First 1,000 customers to trial high quality voice services on new IP network
link
BT to trial limited wider use of optical fibre in access network
BT's transformation of its network to deliver the next generation of
communications services took a step forward today with the announcement of a
pilot for the switch-over of voice calls to an end to end IP (Internet Protocol)
based network.
BT also announced trials of niche deployments of fibre to the premises,
aimed at testing the technical and commercial issues involved.
BT Wholesale chief executive Paul Reynolds said: "We've been talking about our
vision for our 21st century network and today marks the start of the transition
from planning stage to physical implementation.
"The 21CN programme will deliver today's services at better cost by removing
duplication in our networks and underpin the delivery of services customers will
want in the future. For customers, the end result will be a complete experience
- one based on convenience and ease of use of all communications services
including mobility, video, data services and voice."
As a precursor to large scale migration of voice and other PSTN based services
from 2006, the first stage in the migration pilot will involve the bypass of the
core PSTN network link between two major network nodes at Cambridge and
Woolwich. An extension is planned later to Faraday exchange in London.
From October 2004, BT will divert voice calls between these network nodes to the
21CN specific IP network. Calls will be carried using IP packet technology
rather than the circuit switched technology used on PSTN. The switch-over will
be seamless from the customer's perspective and service quality will be the same
or better than on PSTN.
The next stage of this pilot involves the installation of new equipment at 18
exchanges in South East London, Kent and East Anglia - which are connected to
the network nodes in Cambridge and Woolwich. This equipment, known as multi
service access nodes (MSANs), will carry voice and data services onto the core
IP based network, initially for 1,000 customers by January 2005.
Paul Reynolds added: "We want to be absolutely clear that using IP technology in
our network for our premium quality voice services is a gulf apart from the new
budget voice over the internet services being launched almost daily by a wide
range of providers.
"We believe we can provide these services over IP at the same or better than the
high standards of quality and reliability people expect from the PSTN today.
These calls are not going over the internet. They will be carried on our
dedicated high capacity IP networks which also carry data and broadband
services.
"Adopting IP as the common transport method is both cost efficient and
facilitates technology, systems, product and service convergence. BT's vision is
that voice will be one of many applications run over an IP network in our 21st
century network world."
BT today also announced 21CN programme fibre to the premises trials at
Martlesham Heath, Suffolk; at Kents Hill, the Bolbeck Park and Walnut Tree
developments in Milton Keynes; and at the Waterfront Studios business centre, at
Silvertown in London's Docklands.
The trials will provide telephone and broadband services over fibre for up to
1,500 homes and businesses. The first trialists will have their fibre lines
installed and working in October 2004 and the trial will run until September
2005.
Paul Reynolds said: "As part of our 21CN programme, BT is looking at the
potential that fibre in the access network can deliver for our customers and the
investment and operational requirements that go with it. If the commercial case
is proved, we could begin to consider the role that fibre may have further out
in the network in the future.
"We expect the real benefits of this trial to be in informing our thinking on
the relative costs and benefits of deploying fibre, rather than copper, to homes
and businesses in green-field sites or new-build developments."
BT's 21CN programme aims to migrate the company's existing multiple, service
specific networks to a single converged multi-service IP based network. It
includes work towards increasing the bandwidth of services provided over the
copper access network as well as the trials of fibre deployment.
Paul Reynolds added: "At this stage we don't envisage a widespread
deployment of fibre to the premises or the cabinet in the near or medium term.
While we believe the use of fibre can help deliver better operating costs in
terms of maintenance, we need to balance this against the cost of installation
and systems developments. These trials will help to shape our thinking and help
us make strategic investment decisions."
Note to editors:
Photographs of Paul Reynolds, BT Wholesale chief executive, and 21st Century
Networks related images are available via BT's picture library hosted by
Vismedia at www.vismedia.co.uk
PSTN to IP transformation trial
The initial customers to use IP based networks for end-to-end services
previously carried on the PSTN will largely be BT employees in the exchange
areas below. The deployment to these trialists will provide valuable information
about the technicalities and practicalities of the future large-scale migration
of services. The pilot will be extended to 3,000 customers in June 2005 prior to
large-scale migration in 2006.
Exchange County RDA
ADDISCOMBE Greater London London
BELSTEAD Suffolk East of England
BEXLEYHEATH Greater London London
BROMLEY Greater London London
CATFORD Greater London London
CHERRY HINTON Cambridgeshire East of England
CRAYFORD Greater London London
DARTFORD Kent South East
ELTHAM Greater London London
FELIXSTOWE Suffolk East of England
GROVE PARK Greater London London
IPSWICH TOWN Suffolk East of England
KESGRAVE Suffolk East of England
ORPINGTON Greater London London
SIDCUP Greater London London
WHITTON Suffolk East of England
WOODBRIDGE Suffolk East of England
WOOLWICH Greater London London
BT has selected the following companies to support the PSTN to IP pilot:
- Marconi is supplying core network Softswitches and
multi-service access nodes (MSANs) for voice services.
- Alcatel is providing IP ethernet switching equipment.
- Siemens is supplying metro media gateways and Juniper core and
edge routers.
Fibre to the premises trial
The fibre to the premise trial will involve the installation of new fibre optic
cables between a BT exchange and the property of those taking part. Telephone
and broadband services provided will be on a second line in parallel to services
currently provided over the BT network. Optical network units at the exchanges
and customer premises to manage the interface between the fibre and BT and
customer equipment.
ECI is supporting the fibre to the premises trials by supplying optical network
units for use at customer premises and optical line termination equipment at the
exchange.
Supplier contracts
BT is today formally launching the procurement process to select long term
suppliers for 21CN, which may not necessarily be those involved in the trials
and early implementation stages. Contracts for the main rollout phases will be
awarded following a formal competitive tendering process that will be concluded
by the end of 2004.
Forward-looking statements - caution advised
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking and are made in
reliance on the safe harbour provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, those
concerning: transformation of BT's networks and cost base; benefits to customers
of the 21CN programme; anticipated capital spend on 21CN transformation and
expected cash savings; timescales for delivery of 21CN; and delivery of
instantly available broadband.
Although BT believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will
prove to have been correct. Because these statements involve risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by these forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause differences between actual results and those implied by
the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: material adverse
changes in economic and financial markets conditions in the markets served by
BT; future regulatory actions and conditions in BT's operating areas;
technological innovations; developments in the convergence of technologies; and
the anticipated benefits and advantages of new technologies, products and
services, including broadband, not being realised. BT undertakes no obligation
to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
---------------------------------------------
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All
news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice and data services in the UK and overseas, particularly in
Europe, but also in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. British
Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, 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 2004, BT's turnover was GBP18,519million with profit
before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of GBP2,016million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
Enclosure 3.
09 June 2004
BT Group plc
Annual Report and Form 20 - F 2004
Annual Review and summary financial statement 2004
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Proxy Forms
Copies of the above documents have been submitted to the UKLA, and are now
available for inspection at the UKLA's Document Viewing Facility, which is
situated at:
Financial Services Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS
Tel: 020 7066 1000
Ends.
Enclosure 4.
Thursday, 10 June 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased through Cazenove & Co. Ltd
500,000 ordinary shares at a price of 187.00 pence per share. The purchased
shares will all be held as treasury shares.
Following the above purchase, BT Group plc holds 54,451,225 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,580,177,813.
Enclosure 5.
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 67 shares at 186p 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
186p
13) Date of transaction
14 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
14 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
Paul Reynolds:
1. 47,062 ordinary shares - personal holding;
2. 156,687 shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
3 Options over 4,555 shares under BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme;
4. 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 14 June 2004 under
Schedule 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
156,976 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
30,208,127 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: 14 June 2004
End
Enclosure 6.
NR0449 June 22, 2004
BT LOOKS FOR REGULATION TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT
BT today encouraged Ofcom to develop a more targeted regulatory regime that can
keep pace with technological change and so ensure the UK benefits from a vibrant
telecommunications industry. Central to this regime would be a clear and focused
regulation of bottlenecks and barriers to entry counterbalanced by an
accompanying relaxation of regulation at the retail and other downstream levels.
BT's arguments are contained in its response to Ofcom's consultation on the
Strategic Review, "Investment and innovation: a competitive advantage for the
UK".
The paper says the sector has undergone a revolution in the last decade and
argues that a new regime has to recognise those changes whilst looking ahead to
future developments such as the convergence of fixed and mobile services and the
emergence of new access technologies.
BT says a strong telecommunications sector is central to economic growth and
that successful national economies of the 21st century will be those that
embrace new technologies. The companies behind those technologies have to have
confidence however that regulation will allow them to reap appropriate rewards
from their investments.
A new approach is required to provide that confidence. Such an approach would
move away from micro-regulation and would focus far more on bottlenecks and
barriers to entry than on market share. It would also seek to encourage
infrastructure investment instead of relying on mandated access to networks.
BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen said: "Ofcom's challenge is to develop a
regulatory regime that can keep pace with technology, ensure continuing
investment and encourage innovation. This would benefit consumers, businesses
and the UK economy.
"Many markets are now extremely competitive and so there should be a relaxation
of complex regulation particularly when new services are introduced and there
are no barriers to entry. In return, BT accepts that there will need to be clear
and focused regulation where genuine economic bottlenecks occur.
"Certainty is vital for those companies, like BT, who are looking to create the
services of the future. These are exciting times but companies have to be
confident that regulation will not eat into the rewards of their investment.
This is of particular importance given the likely entry of powerful players from
other sectors.
"Regulation has to reflect the realities of the market. Convergence is coming
and consumers will soon make no distinction between fixed and mobile services
for their voice calls, e-mails, text messages or use of the internet. Regulation
of the fixed line market on its own is simply not relevant anymore."
BT is one of the UK's largest capital investors with its GBP3bn annual
investment being more than double that for UK motorways and trunk roads. This
investment has underpinned the UK's broadband success story and BT's plans for a
21st Century Network demonstrate the company's ambition to ensure the UK remains
one of the most dynamic communications marketplaces in the world.
BT's full submission is available at http://www.btplc.com/responses.
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All
news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice and data services in the UK and overseas, particularly in
Europe, but also in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. British
Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, 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 2004, BT's turnover was GBP18,519million with profit
before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of GBP2,016million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
Enclosure 7.
Tuesday, 22 June 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased through Cazenove & Co. Ltd
4,200,000 ordinary shares at a price of 192.58 pence per share. The purchased
shares will all be held as treasury shares.
Following the above purchase, BT Group plc holds 58,651,225 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,575,977,813.
Enclosure 8.
Wednesday, 23 June 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today transferred to participants in its
employees share schemes 1,038 ordinary shares at a price of 154 pence per share.
The transferred shares were all formerly held as treasury shares.
Following the above transfer, BT Group plc holds 58,650,187 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,575,978,851.
Enclosure 9.
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)
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 co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Award of shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
Award of shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
Grant of an option under the BT Group Global Share Option Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
76,342 ordinary shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
137,877 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
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
193.42p
13) Date of transaction
24 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
24 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 47,034 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 137,877 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan-contingent
award;
c. 233,029 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
d. An option over 4,555 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave
Scheme;
e. Options over 1,769,624 ordinary 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
24 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
24 June 2007 - 23 June 2014 subject to corporate performance measure
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 312,500 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
192p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
Options over 1,769,624 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan
Options over 4,555 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in respect
of contingent awards under executive share plans;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited
as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley 020 7356 5152
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 25 June 2004
End
Enclosure 10.
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Andy Green
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)
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 co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Award of shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
Award of shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
Grant of an option under the BT Group Global Share Option Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
86,939 ordinary shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
146,494 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
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
193.42p
13) Date of transaction
24 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
24 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 92,351 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 146,494 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share
Plan - contingent award;
c. 266,396 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
d. An option over 2,905 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave
Scheme;
e. Options over 1,880,230 ordinary 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
24 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
24 June 2007 - 23 June 2014 subject to corporate performance measure
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 332,032 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
192p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
Options over 1,880,230 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan
Options over 2,905 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley 020 7356 5152
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 25 June 2004
End
Enclosure 11.
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Pierre Danon
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)
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 co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Award of shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
Award of shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
Grant of an option under the BT Group Global Share Option Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
66,970 ordinary shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
155,111 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
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
193.42p
13) Date of transaction
24 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
24 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 93,508 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 155,111 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan-contingent
award;
c. 257,241 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
d. Options over 1,990,835 ordinary 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
24 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
24 June 2007 - 23 June 2014 subject to corporate performance measure
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 351,563 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
192p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
Options over 1,990,835 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in respect
of contingent awards under executive share plans;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited
as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley 020 7356 5152
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 25 June 2004
End
Enclosure 12.
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Ian Livingston
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)
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 co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Award of shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
Award of shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
Grant of an option under the BT Group Global Share Option Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
83,961 ordinary shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
155,111 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
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
193.42p
13) Date of transaction
24 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
24 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 312,938 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 155,111 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share
Plan - contingent award;
c. 172,049 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus
Plan;
d. 293,023 ordinary shares under the BT Group Retention Share
Plan;
e. Option over 7,290 ordinary shares under the BT Group
Employee Sharesave Scheme;
f. Options over 1,990,835 ordinary 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
24 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
24 June 2007 - 23 June 2014 subject to corporate performance measure
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 351,563 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
192p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
Options over 1,990,835 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan;
Option over 7,290 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme.
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley 020 7356 5152
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 25 June 2004
End
Enclosure 13.
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Ben Verwaayen
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)
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 co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Award of shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
Award of shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
Grant of an option under the BT Group Global Share Option Plan
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
222,030 ordinary shares under the BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan
241,284 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share Plan
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
193.42p
13) Date of transaction
24 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
24 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 387,876 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 241,284 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share
Plan - contingent award;
c. 745,451 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus
Plan;
d. 832,869 ordinary shares under BT Group Retention Share
Plan
e. Options over 4,217,958 ordinary 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
24 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
24 June 2007 - 23 June 2014 subject to corporate performance measure
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 546,875 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
192p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
Options over 4,217,958 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in respect
of contingent awards under executive share plans;
A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited
as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley 020 7356 5152
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making this
notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 25 June 2004
End
Enclosure 14.
Friday, 25 June 2004
BT GROUP PLC
TRANSACTION IN OWN SHARES
BT Group plc announces that it has today purchased through Cazenove & Co. Ltd
2,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 192.44 pence per share. The purchased
shares will all be held as treasury shares.
Following the above purchase, BT Group plc holds 60,650,187 ordinary shares as
treasury shares. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 8,573,978,851.
Enclosure 15.
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of Director
Andy Green
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)
Director in 2) above
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
Grant of an option under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme (details below)
Lapse of an option under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme over 2,905
shares
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
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
25 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
25 June 2004
15) Total holding following this notification
a. 92,351 ordinary shares - personal holding;
b. 146,494 ordinary shares under the BT Group Incentive Share
Plan - contingent award;
c. 266,396 ordinary shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus
Plan;
d. An option over 5,712 ordinary shares under the BT Group
Employee Sharesave Scheme;
e. Options over 1,880,230 ordinary 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
25 June 2004
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
14 August 2007 to 13 February 2008
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
nil
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
Options over 5,712 ordinary shares of 5p each
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is to be
fixed at time of exercise
165p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
Options over 1,880,230 ordinary shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan
Options over 5,712 ordinary shares under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has technical interests, as at 25 June 2004 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,208,127 ordinary shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in respect
of contingent awards under executive share plans;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc, in
156,976 ordinary shares held in the name of Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited
as Trustee for BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan.
The option granted under the BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme on 24 June 2002
over 2,905 shares lapsed on 25 June 2004.
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: 28 June 2004
End
Enclosure 16.
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:
See para 23 below
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
28 June 2004
14) Date Company informed
28 June 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
a) Recovery of 3,904 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.
b) Adjustment to number of unallocated shares held by the Trustees following a
reconciliation of the register of participants in the Plan. The number of
unallocated shares has been reduced by 40,282 shares from 160,880 shares
(including the recovery above) to 120,598 shares.
Following the changes detailed above, the above named Directors have technical
interests, as at 29 June 2004 under Schedule 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
120,598 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
30,208,127 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: 29 June 2004
End
Enclosure 17.
News release - BT Group plc
June,30 2004
BT LAUNCHES BEST EVER VALUE BROADBAND WITH PRICE CUTS OF UP TO 25 PER CENT
BT is to slash the rental prices for its family of consumer broadband products
by up to a massive 25 per cent.
The price reductions, available to both new and existing broadband customers,
will be effective from 1st July 2004.
The prices for the Broadband from BT family of products will now be as follows:
- BT Broadband (512k) - down from GBP27 per month to GBP24.99
- BT Yahoo! Broadband 512k - down from GBP29.99 per month to GBP26.99
- BT Yahoo! Broadband 1Mb - down from GBP40.99 per month to GBP29.99,
- BT Broadband Basic (512k), remains at GBP19.99 per month, now with free
modem and connection.
All products will continue to offer free connection and modem when purchased
online.*
Until now, lighter users of broadband have been paying the same price as a small
minority of exceptionally high users. To resolve this, BT will be introducing
fair usage allowances, enabling us to offer our customers lower monthly prices.
The new monthly allowances have been set at levels significantly higher than the
usage of the overwhelming majority of broadband customers. For example, the 512k
services, featuring a 15GB allowance, will still enable customers to do all of
the following each month:
- Surf the internet for 15 hours every day,
- Send / receive 250 JPEG pictures via e-mail per week,
- Download 250 music tracks and three hours of video clips per week,
- Listen to online radio for fifteen hours every day,
- Send / receive 3000 emails** per week.
With the exception of BT Broadband Basic, the limits will only be advisory until
Jan 2005.
Duncan Ingram, MD of BTOpenworld, said: "Today's announcement gives customers
the best ever value broadband from a name you can trust.
"What makes BT's Broadband Family different from the competition is the unique
combination of speed, choice, content, and service: speed, in that all our
products offer full broadband (512k and above). With 1Mb now extremely
affordable and GBP39.00 a year cheaper that NTL, we have one of the best priced
1Mb products in the market; choice, in that we have a full range of products to
meet different customer needs; content, with evolving applications and content
supplied by our world leading partner Yahoo!
And service, with the reassuring back up of BT's extensive service organisation.
"Today's price cuts and yesterday's announcement to extend broadband coverage to
99.6 % of the UK by August 2005, shows BT's commitment to bring broadband to as
wide an audience as possible. Our new pricing packages bring broadband
technology within reach of even more UK consumers, helping us play our part in
making Broadband Britain a reality."
"And with over 1 million Retail Broadband customers already, BT is fast becoming
'The Broadband of Choice' in the UK".
Notes to Editors
:
Product Connection Modem Monthly Rental Usage
BT Broadband Basic Free Free GBP19.99 1GB
BT Broadband Free Free GBP24.99 15GB
BT Yahoo! Broadband Free Free GBP26.99 15GB
BT Broadband 1Mb - - GBP28.99 30GB
BT Yahoo! Broadband 1Mb Free Free GBP29.99 30GB
* Customers ordering offline pay GBP25.00 for the modem
** emails with no attachments
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice and data services in the UK and overseas, particularly in
Europe, but also in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. British
Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, 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 2004, BT's turnover was GBP18,519million with profit
before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of GBP2,016million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
Enclosure 18.
NR0454 June 30, 2004
BT CONFIRMS TIMETABLE FOR BROADBAND ROLL OUT
BT today provided clarity for more than a thousand communities across the UK by
setting dates for when they will have access to broadband. The move follows an
earlier announcement that BT would be rolling out broadband so that 99.6 per
cent of UK households are connected to broadband exchanges by August 2005.
The roll out is the latest stage of an ongoing investment by BT that has already
seen more than one billion pounds spent on its UK broadband network. It will
lead to almost one million more households being connected to broadband
exchanges and it will require 5,500 kilometres of new cable to be laid across
the country.
BT's investment will ensure the UK remains ahead of its major international
competitors. A recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) identified the UK as having plans that will ensure the
country has the best DSL broadband availability within the G7 group of
countries.
BT's roll out programme will speed up the national deployment of broadband
bringing it to more communities in a shorter time than would otherwise have been
possible. By adopting a systematic approach, BT has been able to combine a
faster roll out of broadband with the most efficient engineering solution. The
systematic roll out has also enabled BT to bring forward the enablement of 59
additional exchanges that had hit their triggers before the closure of the
registration scheme.
Alison Ritchie, BT chief broadband officer, said today: "Today's news provides
clarity for more than a thousand communities across the UK. People have been
keen to know when they will have access to broadband and this clarity from BT
will allow them to plan ahead with confidence.
"Whilst this move will ensure the UK leads the G7 in broadband availability,
more has to be done in terms of driving take up. It is particularly important
for the UK that businesses adopt and embrace broadband.
"BT is working hard to transform the market from narrowband to broadband and to
ensure that every part of the UK can benefit from the broadband revolution".
Today's timetable will see broadband delivered to every remaining exchange
except for the very smallest which between them account for fewer than 100,000
premises across the UK.
Alison Ritchie added: "BT is not forgetting these small numbers of communities
who are still to be told when they will receive broadband. These communities are
served by the very smallest exchanges and BT is working hard to find solutions
for them. These solutions depend on the support of external partners and so BT
will continue to seek to work in partnership with public sector and other
organisations. Possible solutions include wireless and satellite broadband as
well as BT's Exchange Activate product."
BT also announced that the initial results from trials to extend the reach of
broadband beyond its current limit (roughly 6km) were looking very promising. BT
is confident it will find a way over the summer to extend the reach of broadband
ADSL services to over a million more homes and businesses throughout the UK.
The full timetable can be accessed at www.bt.com/broadband.
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All
news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre
Notes to Editors
BT has upgraded its systems so that people can order broadband from a service
provider immediately rather than having to wait for their exchange to be
upgraded before placing their order. This will ensure that people have access as
soon as possible.
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice and data services in the UK and overseas, particularly in
Europe, but also in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. British
Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, 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 2004, BT's turnover was GBP18,519million with profit
before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of GBP2,016million.
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 01 July 2004