Editing BT Group (section)

== History ==

=== Electrical telegraphy ===
{{Main|Electrical telegraphy in the United Kingdom}}
A number of privately owned [[electrical telegraph]] companies operated in the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]] from 1846 onwards. Among them were:<ref>{{cite book|last=Haigh|first=Kenneth Richardson|title=Cableships and Submarine Cables|publisher=Adlard Coles|year=1968|oclc=497380538 |page=195}}</ref>
* [[Electric Telegraph Company]], the world's first public telegraph company, which developed a nationwide communications network
* [[British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company]]
* [[British Telegraph Company]]
* [[London District Telegraph Company]]
* [[United Kingdom Telegraph Company]]

=== General Post Office ===
The [[Telegraph Act 1868]] passed the control of all these to the Postal Telegraphs Department of the newly formed [[General Post Office]] (GPO).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.terramedia.co.uk/reference/law/UK_media_law/telecom_laws.htm|publisher=Terramedia|title=UK media law|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523151027/http://www.terramedia.co.uk/reference/law/UK_media_law/telecom_laws.htm|archive-date=23 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Telegraph Act 1869 granted the GPO a monopoly over communications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gbps.org.uk/information/sources/acts/1869-08-09_Act-32-and-33-Victoria-cap-73.php|title=Telegraph Act 1869 (32 & 33 Vict c.73, 9th August 1869)|publisher=The Great British Philatelic Society|access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref>

With the invention of the [[telephone]] by [[Alexander Graham Bell]] in 1876 the GPO began to provide telephone services from some of its telegraph exchanges. It was confirmed in 1880 that the 1869 Act included telephony even though the telephone had not been invented when the Act was first conceived.<ref>Campbell-Smith, D. Masters of the Post: The Authorised History of the Royal Mail. London: Penguin Books, 2011.p.193.</ref> In 1882, the [[Postmaster General of the United Kingdom|Postmaster-General]], Henry Fawcett started to issue licences to operate a telephone service to private businesses and the telephone system grew under the GPO in some areas and private ownership in others. The GPO's main competitor, the [[National Telephone Company]] (NTC), emerged in this market by absorbing other private telephone companies. It controlled most of telephony in Britain before the 1880 ruling on the Telegraph Act 1869 mandated a nationalised service – which was instated in 1911 prior to the absorption of the NTC into the GPO in 1912.<ref>{{cite web |title=Records created and used by the National Telephone Company Limited |url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/50a5d416-8fc1-3a00-9345-9f16d7b07b73 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306111507/https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/50a5d416-8fc1-3a00-9345-9f16d7b07b73 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 |publisher=Archives Hub}}</ref>

The trunk network was unified under GPO control in 1896 and the local distribution network in 1912. A few municipally owned services remained outside of GPO control. These were [[Kingston upon Hull]], [[Portsmouth]] and [[Guernsey]]. Hull still retains an independent operator, [[Kingston Communications]], though it is no longer municipally controlled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kcomplc.com/about-us/our-history/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112125913/http://www.kcomplc.com/about-us/our-history/|url-status=dead|title=KCOM Group: Our History|archivedate=12 November 2013}}</ref>

The assets of the National Telephone Company were acquired by the UK Government to form Post Office Telephones in late 1911.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishtelephones.com/k1.htm|title=Kiosk No. 1 (K1)|publisher=British Telephones|access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref> Post Office engineers in the inter-war period had considerable expertise in both [[telecommunications]] and hearing assistive devices.<ref>{{cite journal |last=McGuire |first=Coreen Anne |date=September 5, 2019 |title=The categorisation of hearing loss through telephony in inter-war Britain |journal=History and Technology |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=138–155 |doi=10.1080/07341512.2019.1652435 |pmc=6817317 |pmid=31708691 |s2cid=202274487}}</ref> Transistors were invented by [[Bell Telephone Laboratories]] in the US in 1948, however it was not until the mid-1960s that a [[transistor]]ised [[oscillator]] was introduced to make the calling sound on a telephone in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.britishtelephones.com/histuk.htm|title=UK Telephone History|publisher=British Telephones|access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref>

=== Post Office Telecommunications ===
[[File:Telecom_Tower,_London_taken_1966_-_geograph.org.uk_-_807317.jpg|thumb|The [[BT Tower]], then known as the Post Office Tower, 1966 (shortly after construction)]]
In 1969 the GPO, a government department, became the [[Royal Mail|Post Office]], a nationalised industry separate from government. '''Post Office Telecommunications''' was set up as a division of the Post Office, in October 1969.<ref>{{cite web |title=Post Office and British Telecommunications Public Corporations |url=https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/a985c70a-8be3-3dfb-83c4-e7f127537064 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044111/https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/a985c70a-8be3-3dfb-83c4-e7f127537064 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 |publisher=Archives Hub}}</ref> The [[Post Office Act 1969]] was passed to provide for greater efficiency in post and telephone services; rather than run a range of services, each organisation would be able to focus on their respective service, with dedicated management. By law, the Post Office retained the exclusive right to operate the UK national telecom network, (although since 1914 had licensed Hull City Council to operate its own local telephone network, [[Kingston Communications]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcomplc.com/about-us/our-history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112125913/http://www.kcomplc.com/about-us/our-history/|url-status=dead|title=KCOM Group: Our History|archive-date=12 November 2013|access-date=6 August 2019}}</ref>

The 1970s was a period of great expansion for the Post Office. Most exchanges were modernised and expanded, and many services, such as [[Subscriber trunk dialling|STD]] and [[International direct dialling|international dialling]] were extended. By the early 1970s, subscribers in most cities could dial direct to Western Europe, the US, and Canada; by the end of the decade, most of the world could be dialled direct. The [[System X (telephony)|System X]] digital switching platform was developed, and the first digital exchanges began to be installed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exhibits: System X|url=https://www.communicationsmuseum.org.uk/systemx/|access-date=2021-05-27|website=The Communications Museum Trust}}</ref> The Post Office also procured their own fleet of vans, based on the [[Commer#Commer FC.2FPA.2FPB.2FSpacevan|Commer FC]] model.<ref>{{cite web| title = Dodge Spacevan / Telecom Van (Commer PA and PB vans, Dodge K-series)| work = allpar.com | publisher = Allpar, LLC | url = http://www.allpar.com/squads/spacevan.html | access-date = 2 April 2008}}</ref>

Post Office Telecommunications researched and implemented [[data communication]]s using [[packet switching]] in the 1970s, resulting in the [[Packet switching#EPSS|EPSS]], [[International Packet Switched Service]], and [[Packet Switch Stream]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Ed |last2=Miller |first2=Chris |last3=Norton |first3=Jim |date=2017 |title=Packet Switching: The first steps on the road to the information society |url=https://www.npl.co.uk/getattachment/about-us/History/Famous-faces/Donald-Davies/UK-role-in-Packet-Switching-(1).pdf.aspx?lang=en-GB |access-date= |website=National Physical Laboratory}}</ref>

=== British Telecom ===
[[File:British Telecom 1981.svg|120px|thumb|British Telecom logo used from 1980 to 1991]]
In 1979 the [[Conservative Party UK|Conservatives]] decided that telecommunications should be fully separated from the Post Office. The ''British Telecom'' brand was introduced in 1980. On 1 October 1981, this became the official name of Post Office Telecommunications, which became a state-owned corporation independent of the Post Office under the provisions of the [[British Telecommunications Act 1981]].<ref>{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=1981 |number=1274 |si=The British Telecommunications Act 1981 (Appointed Day) Order 1981 |article= |date=2 September 1981 |accessdate=5 November 2023}}</ref> In 1982 BT's monopoly on telecommunications was broken with the granting of a licence to [[Mercury Communications]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1982/jun/14/mercury-communications-ltd|title=Mercury Communications Ltd|publisher=Hansard|date=14 June 1982|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043633/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1982/jun/14/mercury-communications-ltd|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Privatisation ===
On 19 July 1982, the Government announced its intention to sell shares in British Telecom to the public. On 1 April 1984, British Telecommunications was incorporated as a public limited company (plc) in anticipation of the passing of the Telecommunications Bill.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01800000/filing-history/MTEyNzAwMjQ1YWRpcXprY3g/document?format=pdf&download=0 |title=British Telecommunications plc - Certificate of Incorporation |work=Companies House |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref> This Bill received royal assent on 12 April as the [[Telecommunications Act 1984]], and the transfer to British Telecommunications plc from British Telecom as a statutory corporation of its business, its property, its rights and liabilities took place on 6 August 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moneyweek.com/417238/3-december-1984-bt-is-sold-off-in-a-gamble-over-privatisation/|title=3 December 1984: BT is sold off in a gamble over privatisation|date=3 December 2015|publisher=Money Week|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044028/https://moneyweek.com/417238/3-december-1984-bt-is-sold-off-in-a-gamble-over-privatisation/|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=1984 |number=876 |si=The Telecommunications Act 1984 (Appointed Day) (No.2) Order 1984 |article=5 |date=26 June 1984 |accessdate=5 November 2023}}</ref> The remainder of the statutory corporation British Telecom was dissolved in 1994.<ref>{{Cite legislation UK |type=si |year=1994 |number=2162 |si=The British Telecommunications (Dissolution) Order 1994 |article= |date=16 August 1994 |accessdate=5 November 2023}}</ref>

Initially all shares in the new plc were owned by the Government. In November 1984, 50.2% of the new company was offered for sale to the public and employees. Shares were listed in London, New York, and Toronto and the first day of trading on was 3 December 1984. The Government sold half its remaining interest in December 1991 and the other half in July 1993. In July 1997, the new Labour Government relinquished its Special Share ("Golden Share"), retained at the time of the flotation, which had effectively given it the power to block a takeover of the company, and to appoint two non-executive directors to the Board.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/government-abandons-bt-golden-share-1250939.html|title=Government abandons BT Golden Share|newspaper=The Independent|date=16 July 1997|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306051445/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/government-abandons-bt-golden-share-1250939.html|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The company changed its trading name to "BT" on 2 April 1991. In 1996 [[Peter Bonfield]] was appointed CEO and chairman of the executive committee, promising a "rollercoaster ride".<ref name = "zsjoip">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1231535.stm | work=BBC News | title=Sir Peter Bonfield: A profile | date=31 October 2001 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622232026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1231535.stm | archive-date=22 June 2004 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Diversification ===
In the early 1980s, BT Merlin was established as a business unit of British Telecom, at first to sell products such as phone systems to small businesses.<ref name="btjournal198404">{{cite journal |date=April 1984 |title=Merlin spells success |url=https://archive.org/details/btj-198404/page/n61/mode/2up |journal=British Telecom Journal |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=32–34 |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref> In 1983, the growing "office automation" market was addressed through Merlin-branded desktop computers made by [[International Computers Limited|ICL]], with built-in modems to communicate over the phone network.<ref name="btjournal198307">{{cite journal |date=July 1983 |title=Computer wizardry! |url=https://archive.org/details/btj-198307/page/n67/mode/2up |journal=British Telecom Journal |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=34–35 |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref> Later products included the [[Merlin Tonto]]<ref name="bteng198504">{{cite journal |date=April 1984 |title=British Telecom Press Notices |url=https://archive.org/details/bte-198504/page/n58/mode/1up |journal=British Telecommunications Engineering |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=57 |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref> – developed by ICL from the [[Sinclair QL]] home computer – and the [[Merlin M4000]], a rebadged [[Logica]] computer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1258|title=Merlin M4000|publisher=Old Computers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222065252/https://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=1258|archive-date=22 February 2011}}</ref>

In the 1990s, BT entered the Irish telecommunications market through a joint venture with the [[Electricity Supply Board]], the Irish state owned power provider. This venture, entitled Ocean, found its main success through the launch of Ireland's first subscription-free dial-up ISP, oceanfree.net. As a telecoms company it found much less success, mainly targeting corporate customers. BT acquired 100% of this venture in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/heart-stopping-time-for-ocean-boss-in-setting-up-telecom-company-1.144051|title=Heart-stopping time for Ocean boss in setting up telecom company|date=8 January 1999|newspaper=Irish Times|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043004/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/heart-stopping-time-for-ocean-boss-in-setting-up-telecom-company-1.144051|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Over the period 1980 to 2000, BT and other providers adopted Internet product strategies when it became commercially advantageous.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Edward |last2=Miller |first2=Chris |last3=Norton |first3=Jim |date=2023 |title=Evolving and Exploiting Packet Switched Networks |url=https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=4595785 |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal |language=en |doi=10.2139/ssrn.4595785 |issn=1556-5068|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== Attempted global alliances ===
==== MCI ====
In June 1994  BT and [[MCI Communications]] launched [[Concert Communications Services]] which was a $1 billion joint venture between the two companies. Its aim was to build a network which would provide easy global connectivity to multinational corporations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/9_14/news/9537-1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060607121754/http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/9_14/news/9537-1.html|url-status=dead|title=MCI and British Telecom are getting a concerted jump on the competition but is being first enough?<!-- Bot generated title --> 27 October 1994|archivedate=7 June 2006}}</ref>

This alliance progressed further on 3 November 1996 when the two companies announced that they had agreed to a merger, creating a global telecommunications company called Concert plc. The proposal gained approval from the [[European Commission]], the [[US Department of Justice]], and the [[US Federal Communications Commission]] and looked set to proceed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m856_19970514_600_en.pdf|title=Commission Decision of 14 May 1997 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market and the functioning of the EEA Agreement|publisher=European Commission|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042701/http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m856_19970514_600_en.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, in light of pressure from investors reacting to the slide in BT's share price on the [[London Stock Exchange]], BT reduced its bid price for MCI, releasing MCI from its exclusivity clause and allowing it to speak to other interested parties.<ref name="FindArticles.com - CBSi">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/?noadc=1|title=FindArticles.com – CBSi|website=findarticles.com|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040814080003/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_5/ai_101337651|archive-date=14 August 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 October 1997, [[Worldcom]] made a rival bid for MCI which was followed by a counter-bid from [[GTE]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Breaking News, World News & Multimedia|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108144641/http://www.nytimes.com/|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

BT sold its stake in MCI to Worldcom in 1998 for £4,159 million. As part of the deal, BT also bought out from MCI its 24.9% interest in Concert Communications, thereby making Concert a wholly owned part of BT.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://money.cnn.com/1997/11/10/deals/worldcomwins/|title=WorldCom wins MCI|date=10 November 1997|magazine=Money|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044741/https://money.cnn.com/1997/11/10/deals/worldcomwins/|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The reaction to the failure of the deal in the City of London was critical of then Chairman [[Iain Vallance]] and CEO [[Peter Bonfield]], and the lack of confidence from the failed merger led to their removal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aurorawdc.com/mciworldcom.htm|title=MCI and WorldCom – How British Telecom Fell Short at Competitive Intelligence – AuroraWDC.com Competitive Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Market Research, Competitor Analysis|website=aurorawdc.com|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172412/http://www.aurorawdc.com/mciworldcom.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== AT&T ====
As BT owned Concert in 1994, and still wanted access to the North American market, it needed a new partner. An [[AT&T]]/BT option had been mooted in the past, but stopped on regulatory grounds due to their individual virtual monopolies in their home markets. By 1996, this had receded to the point where a deal was possible, and a deal was consummated in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/27/business/at-t-and-british-telecom-merge-overseas-operations.html|title=AT&T and British Telecom Merge Overseas Operations|date=27 July 1998|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044826/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/27/business/at-t-and-british-telecom-merge-overseas-operations.html|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

At its height, the Concert managed network was extensive. Although Concert continued signing customers, its rate of revenue growth slowed, so that in 1999 David Dorman was made CEO with a brief to revive it.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/11/28/technology/att/|title=AT&T names president|date=28 November 2000|magazine=Money|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043455/https://money.cnn.com/2000/11/28/technology/att/|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late 2000, the BT and AT&T boards fell-out, partly due to each partner's excess debt and the resulting board room clear-outs, partly due to Concert's extensive annual losses. AT&T recognized that Concert was a threat to its ambitions if left intact, and so negotiated a deal where Concert was split in two in 2001: North America and Eastern Asia went to AT&T, the rest of the world and $400M to BT. BT's remaining Concert assets were merged into its BT Ignite, later BT Global Services group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/may/13/newmedia.business|title=2,000 jobs go as BT's Ignite seeks to stem losses|date=13 May 2002|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044151/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/may/13/newmedia.business|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== BT Ireland ===
In 2000, BT acquired [[BT Ireland|Esat Telecom Group plc]], and all its subsidiary companies, and [[Ireland On Line]].<ref name="FindArticles.com - CBSi"/> It also purchased [[Telenor]]'s minority shareholding in [[Esat Digifone]]. The Esat Telecom Group was split in two with the landline and internet operations were combining with Ocean to become part of BT Ignite.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smyth|first=Jamie|title=BT ready to spend €1.4bn on Telenor's Esat stake|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/bt-ready-to-spend-1-4bn-on-telenor-s-esat-stake-1.1114976|access-date=2021-10-22|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}}</ref> Esat Group was renamed Esat BT in July 2002, and eventually [[BT Ireland]] in April 2005. Esat Digifone became part of BT Wireless, before being spun off into a separate independent company [[Telefónica Europe|mmo2 plc]] (now [[Telefónica Europe]]). EsatBT installed the first [[DSL]] lines in Ireland, to try and compete heavily with former state telecoms company [[Eircom]] and operate one exchange, in [[Limerick]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/eircom-s-dsl-attracts-1-000-users-1.356846|title=Eircom's DSL attracts 1,000 users|date=25 April 2003|newspaper=Irish Times|access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref>

=== 2001 debt crisis and sale, demerger ===
By 2001, BT had a debt of £30 billion, much of which was acquired during the bidding round for the [[3G|3rd generation mobile telephony]] (commonly known as 3G) licences.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1322290.stm | work=BBC News | title=BT attacks debt mountain | date=10 May 2001 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823235812/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1322290.stm | archive-date=23 August 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> It had also failed in its series of proposed global mergers, and the funds flowing from its then virtual monopoly of the UK market place had been largely removed. It was also headed by two executives who had little support from the [[London Stock Exchange]], particularly in light of a 60% drop in share price in sixteen months.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1297641.stm | work=BBC News | title=Vallance resigns from BT | date=26 April 2001 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326014439/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1297641.stm | archive-date=26 March 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Philip Hampton]] joined as CFO, and in April 2001 Sir Iain Vallance was replaced as chairman by recognised turn around expert [[Sir Christopher Bland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/james-ashton-next-bt-chair-will-need-todo-list-like-sir-christopher-bland-s-a3453281.html|title=James Ashton: Next BT chair will need to-do list like Sir Christopher Bland's|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=30 January 2017|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306045037/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/james-ashton-next-bt-chair-will-need-todo-list-like-sir-christopher-bland-s-a3453281.html|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2001, BT carried out corporate Europe's largest ever [[rights issue]], allowing it to raise £5.9 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1394128.stm|title=BT wraps up share sale|date=18 June 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123023845/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1394128.stm|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A few days before, it sold stakes in [[Japan Telecom]], in mobile operator J-Phone Communications, and in [[Airtel]] of India to [[Vodafone]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1306080.stm|title=BT retreats from Japan and Spain|date=1 May 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123023452/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1306080.stm|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2001, BT's directory business was sold as [[Yell Group]] to a combination of [[private equity]] firms [[Apax Partners]] and [[Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst]] for £2.1 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1350672.stm|title=BT sells Yell for £2.1bn|date=27 May 2001|via=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123023822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1350672.stm|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A demerger followed in November 2001, when the former mobile telecommunications business of BT, BT Cellnet, was hived off as a separate business named "[[O2 (UK)|mmO2]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/|title=Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews for IT Professionals|website=ZDNet|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310154122/https://www.zdnet.com/|archive-date=10 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> This included BT owned or operated networks in other countries, including BT Cellnet (UK), Esat Digifone (Ireland), and Viag Interkom (Germany). All networks now owned or operated by mmO2 (except [[Manx Telecom]]) were renamed as O2. The de-merger was accomplished via a share-swap, all British Telecommunications plc shareholders received one mmO2 plc and one BT Group plc (of which British Telecommunications is now a wholly owned subsidiary) share for each share they owned. British Telecommunications plc was de-listed on 16 November, and the two new companies started trading on 19 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=BT approves mobiles spin-off |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1615100.stm |work=BBC News Online |date=23 October 2001 |access-date=7 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628041135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1615100.stm |archive-date=28 June 2004 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Aftermath, 2001 to 2006 ===
At the end of the series of sales, Sir Peter Bonfield resigned in October 2001.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1629621.stm | work=BBC News | title=BT chief quits early | date=31 October 2001 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325195127/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1629621.stm | archive-date=25 March 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> Bonfield was replaced by former [[Lucent]] CEO [[Ben Verwaayen]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1705364.stm | work=BBC News | title=BT lures Lucent boss with £7m package | date=12 December 2001 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325195137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1705364.stm | archive-date=25 March 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref>

During Bonfield's tenure the share price went from £4 to £15, and back again to £5.<ref name = "zsjoip"/> Bonfield's salary to 31 March 2001 was a basic of £780,000 (increasing to £820,000) plus a £481,000 bonus and £50,000 of other benefits including pension. He also received a deferred bonus, payable in shares three years' later, of £481,000, and additional bonuses of £3.3 million.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article227511.ece |title=BT's Sir Peter Bonfield stands to gain extra £3.3m in share bonuses |access-date=12 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001130651/http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article227511.ece |archive-date=1 October 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

mmO2 plc was replaced by O2 plc in a further share-swap in 2005, and subsequently bought in an agreed takeover by [[Telefónica]] for £18 billion and delisted.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4391754.stm | work=BBC News | title=Telefonica bids £18bn for UK's O2 | date=31 October 2005 | access-date=27 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714234020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4391754.stm | archive-date=14 July 2007 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, BT launched Consult 21, a consultation organisation that was to aid  [[BT 21CN]] in the eventual conversion to digital telephony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connectedplanetonline.com/home/news/bt_consulting_business_120606/ |title=ITU: BT launches consulting business |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501223523/http://connectedplanetonline.com/home/news/bt_consulting_business_120606/ |archive-date=1 May 2013 }}</ref>

In 2004, BT was awarded the contract to deliver and manage N3, a secure and fast broadband network for the [[NHS National Programme for IT]] (NPfIT) program, on behalf of the [[English National Health Service]] (NHS).<ref name="BT_2010">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/government-computing-network/2010/dec/20/doh-extends-n3-deal-with-bt-20dec10 |title=DoH extends BT N3 deal |date=20 December 2010 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420072249/http://www.theguardian.com/government-computing-network/2010/dec/20/doh-extends-n3-deal-with-bt-20dec10 |archive-date=20 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, BT made a number of acquisitions. In February 2005, BT acquired Infonet (now re-branded BT Infonet), a large telecoms company based in [[El Segundo, California]], giving BT access to new geographies. It also acquired the Italian company Albacom. Then in April 2005, it bought Radianz from Reuters (now rebranded as BT Radianz), which expanded BT's coverage and provided BT with more buying power in certain countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DUJ/is_/ai_n9772149 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903212234/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DUJ/is_/ai_n9772149 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2015 |title=BT goes home |via=Find Articles |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=18 April 2011 }}</ref>

In August 2006, BT acquired online electrical retailer [[Dabs.com]] for £30.6&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4956100.stm |title=BT buys on-line retailer Dabs.com |work=BBC News |date=28 April 2006 |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328233638/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4956100.stm |archive-date=28 March 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[BT Home Hub]] manufactured by [[Inventel]] was also launched in June 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=105546 |title=Thomson ships BT home hub |publisher=Lightreading.com |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713205219/http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=105546 |archive-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2006, BT confirmed that it would be investing 75% of its total capital spending, put at £10&nbsp;billion over five years, in its new [[Internet Protocol]] (IP) based [[BT 21CN|21st century network]] (21CN). Annual savings of £1&nbsp;billion per annum were expected when the transition to the new network was to have been completed in 2010, with over 50% of its customers to have been transferred by 2008. That month the first customers on to 21CN was successfully tested at [[Adastral Park]] in Suffolk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155608023.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105152415/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155608023.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2012 |title=BT transfers first customer lines to 21CN network  |date=1 December 2006 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

=== 2007 to 2012 ===
In January 2007, BT acquired Sheffield-based ISP, [[PlusNet]] plc, adding 200,000 customers. BT stated that PlusNet will continue to operate separately out of its Sheffield head-office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thurston |first=Richard |url=http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39284743,00.htm |title=Bt buys PlusNet for CRM system |publisher=News.zdnet.co.uk |date=13 November 2008 |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325060139/http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39284743,00.htm |archive-date=25 March 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 February 2007, BT announced agreed terms to acquire [[International Network Services Inc.]] (INS), an international provider of IT consultancy and software.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerwire.com/industries/research/?pid=6E892FE0-2D6A-4870-82DA-2EFD22D6D788 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930033905/http://www.computerwire.com/industries/research/?pid=6E892FE0-2D6A-4870-82DA-2EFD22D6D788 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2018 |title=BT buys former Lucent division INS |publisher=Computerwire.com |access-date=18 April 2011 }}</ref>

In February 2007, Sir [[Michael Rake]] succeeded Sir Christopher Bland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerwire.com/industries/research/?pid=FFF73A29-8EAC-4FA6-BD80-883AD44E3CCB |title=Datamonitor ComputerWire – BT Appoints New Chairman to Replace Bland |publisher=Computerwire.com |access-date=18 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007031518/http://www.computerwire.com/industries/research/?pid=FFF73A29-8EAC-4FA6-BD80-883AD44E3CCB |archive-date=7 October 2008 }}</ref> In April that year, they acquired [[COMSAT]] International,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://telephonyonline.com/finance/news/bt_buys_comcast_042007/ |title=BT buys Comsat |publisher=Telephonyonline.com |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826213643/http://telephonyonline.com/finance/news/bt_buys_comcast_042007/ |archive-date=26 August 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> followed in October by the acquisition of Lynx Technology.<ref>{{cite web|last=Meyer |first=David |url=http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/systems-management/2007/10/01/bt-buys-lynx-technology-39289743/ |title=BT buys Lynx Technology |publisher=Zdnet.co.uk |date=3 October 2007 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

BT acquired Wire One Communications in June 2008 and folded the company into "BT Conferencing", its existing conferencing unit, as a new video business unit<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2214152/bt-acquires-wire-one |title=BT buys Wire One |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709061253/http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2214152/bt-acquires-wire-one |archive-date=9 July 2008 }}</ref>
In July 2008, BT acquired the online business directory firm Ufindus for £20&nbsp;million in order to expand its position in the local information market in GB.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/10/btgroupbusiness.socialnetworking | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Richard | last=Wray | title=BT buys into social networking directories with £20m for Ufindus | date=10 July 2008 | access-date=14 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113170121/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/10/btgroupbusiness.socialnetworking | archive-date=13 November 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 July 2008, BT acquired [[Ribbit (telecommunications company)|Ribbit]], of [[Mountain View, California]], "Silicon Valley's First Phone Company". Ribbit provides [[Adobe Flash]]/[[Adobe Flex|Flex]] APIs, allowing web developers to incorporate telephony features into their [[software as a service]] (SaaS) applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2008/07/29/bt-buys-ribbit/ |title=BT buys Ribbit for $105m |work=Gigaom |publisher=Gigaom.com |date=29 July 2008 |access-date=18 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110515065153/http://gigaom.com/2008/07/29/bt-buys-ribbit/| archive-date= 15 May 2011 | url-status= live |last1=Malik |first1=Om }}</ref>

In the early days of its fibre broadband rollout, BT said it would deliver fibre-to-the-premises ([[FTTP]]) to around 25% of the Country, with the rest catered for by the slower fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC), which uses copper wiring to deliver the final stretch of the connection. In 2014, with less than 0.7% of the company's fibre network being FTTP, BT dropped the 25% target, saying that it was "far less relevant today" because of improvements made to the headline speed of FTTC, which had doubled to 80&nbsp;Mbit/s since its fibre broadband rollout was first announced.<ref name="alphr.com">{{Cite web|title = BT aimed to get true fibre to 25% of UK. The actual figure? 0.7%|url = http://www.alphr.com/news/broadband/391612/bt-aimed-to-get-true-fibre-to-25-of-uk-the-actual-figure-0-7|website = Alphr|access-date = 13 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015205446/http://www.alphr.com/news/broadband/391612/bt-aimed-to-get-true-fibre-to-25-of-uk-the-actual-figure-0-7|archive-date = 15 October 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> To supplement FTTC, BT offered an 'FTTP on Demand' product.<ref>{{Cite web|title = BT Fibre on Demand: What is it and what will it cost?|url = https://recombu.com/digital/article/bt-fttp-on-demand-trial_M11049.html|website = Recombu|date = 9 April 2013|access-date = 13 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015205447/https://recombu.com/digital/article/bt-fttp-on-demand-trial_M11049.html|archive-date = 15 October 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> In January 2015, BT stopped taking orders for the on-demand product.<ref name="ispreview.co.uk">{{Cite web|title = BT Wholesale Suspend New Orders for 330Mbps FTTP on Demand Broadband – ISPreview UK|url = http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2015/01/bt-wholesale-suspend-new-orders-330mbps-fttp-demand-broadband.html|website = ispreview.co.uk|date = 14 January 2015|access-date = 13 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015041353/http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2015/01/bt-wholesale-suspend-new-orders-330mbps-fttp-demand-broadband.html|archive-date = 15 October 2015|url-status = live}}</ref>

On 1 April 2009, BT Engage IT was created from the merger of two previous BT acquisitions, Lynx Technology and Basilica. Apart from the name change not much else changed in operations for another 12 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/1892864/exclusive-lynx-basilica-bt-rebrand|title=Exclusive: Lynx and Basilica in BT rebrand|date=19 March 2009|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114061800/https://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/1892864/exclusive-lynx-basilica-bt-rebrand|archive-date=14 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 May 2009, BT said it was cutting up to 15,000 jobs in the coming year after it announced its results for the year to 31 March 2009.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8049276.stm BT to shed a further 15,000 job losses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517211658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8049276.stm |date=17 May 2009 }} BBC News, 14 May 2009</ref> Then in July 2009, BT offered workers a long holiday for an up front sum of 25% of their annual wage or a one-off payment of £1000 if they agree to go part-time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8134123.stm |title=BT offers holidays for pay cuts |work=BBC News|date=4 July 2009 |access-date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

On 6 April 2011, BT launched the first online [[not-for-profit]] fundraising service for UK charities called [[BT MyDonate]] as part of its investment to the community. The service will pass on 100% of all donations made through the site to the charity, and unlike other services which take a proportion as commission and charge charities for using their services, BT will only pass on credit/debit card charges for each donation. The service allows people to register to give money to charity or collect fundraising donations. BT developed MyDonate with the support of [[Cancer Research UK]], [[Changing Faces (charity)|Changing Faces]], [[KidsOut]], [[NSPCC]] and [[Women's Aid]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smithers|first=Rebecca|title=Charitable giving: BT launches website where 100% of donations go to charity|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/apr/06/charitable-giving-bt-donations-direct|access-date=14 February 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|location=UK|date=6 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303072649/http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/apr/06/charitable-giving-bt-donations-direct|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Warman|first1=Matt|title=BT launches MyDonate JustGiving donations rival|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8430512/BT-launches-MyDonate-JustGiving-donations-rival.html|access-date=14 February 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=6 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206144436/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8430512/BT-launches-MyDonate-JustGiving-donations-rival.html|archive-date=6 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2013 to 2020 ===
[[File:BT logo.svg|thumb|BT logo used from 2003 to 2019]]
In March 2013, BT was allocated [[4G]] spectrum in the UK following an auction and assignment by Ofcom, after paying £201.5m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-awards/awards-archive/completed-awards/800mhz-2.6ghz/|title=800 MHz & 2.6&nbsp;GHz Combined Award|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411175017/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-awards/awards-archive/completed-awards/800mhz-2.6ghz/|archive-date=11 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 August 2013, BT launched its first television channels, [[BT Sport]], to compete with rival broadcaster [[Sky Sports]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23527897 |title=BT launches sports TV channels in battle with Sky |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801170112/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23527897 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Plans for the channels' launch came about when it was announced in June 2012 that BT had been awarded a package of broadcast rights for the [[Premier League]] from the 2013–14 to 2015–16 season, broadcasting 38 matches from each season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036|title=Premier League rights sold to BT and BSkyB for £3bn|work=BBC News|date=13 June 2012|access-date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809041029/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036|archive-date=9 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2013, BT acquired [[ESPN Inc.]]'s UK and Ireland TV channels, continuing its expansion into sports broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/25/espn-bt-vision|title=BT buys ESPN'S UK and Ireland TV channels|work=The Guardian|date=25 February 2013|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023081226/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/25/espn-bt-vision|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[ESPN America]] and [[ESPN Classic (UK)|ESPN Classic]] were both closed, while [[ESPN (UK)|ESPN]] continued to be operated by BT. On 9 November 2013, BT announced it had acquired exclusive rights to the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and [[Europa League]] for £897m, from the 2015 season, with some free games remaining including both finals.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24879138 Champions League: BT Sport wins £897m football rights deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123001540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24879138 |date=23 November 2013 }}. BBC Sport (9 November 2013). Retrieved 9 December 2013.</ref>

On 1 November 2014, BT created a new central business services organisation to provide customer services and improve operational efficiency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.btplc.com/BTToday/NewsList/AnewcentralbusinessservicesmodelforBT/index.htm |title=BT has created a new central business services (CBS) organization to deliver superior customer service and maximize efficiency and effectiveness. |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021120931/https://www.btplc.com/BTToday/NewsList/AnewcentralbusinessservicesmodelforBT/index.htm |archive-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 November 2014, shares in BT rose considerably on the announcement that the company was in talks to buy back [[O2 (UK)|O2]], while at the same time confirmed it was also in talks to acquire [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodley |first1=Simon |last2=Farrell |first2=Sean |title=BT in talks with Telefónica to buy O2 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/24/bt-o2-talks-buy-back |access-date=25 November 2014 |work=The Guardian |date=25 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125003122/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/24/bt-o2-talks-buy-back |archive-date=25 November 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> BT subsequently entered into exclusive talks to buy EE for £12.5&nbsp;billion on 15 December 2014<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Christopher |title=BT in exclusive talks to buy EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11294252/BT-agrees-to-buy-EE-for-12.5bn.html |access-date=15 December 2014 |work=The Telegraph |date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215180539/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11294252/BT-agrees-to-buy-EE-for-12.5bn.html |archive-date=15 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BT in talks to buy EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30487285 |access-date=15 December 2014 |work=BBC News |date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215172620/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30487285 |archive-date=15 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and confirmed on 5 February 2015, subject to regulatory approval. The deal combined BT's 10 million retail customers and EE's 24.5&nbsp;million direct mobile subscribers. [[Deutsche Telekom]] would own 12% of BT, while [[Orange S.A.]] would own 4%.<ref>{{cite news |title=BT to buy mobile firm EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31144009 |access-date=5 February 2015 |work=BBC News |date=5 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205075019/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31144009 |archive-date=5 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2015, BT launched a 4G service as [[BT Mobile]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/25/bt-mobile-ee/|title=BT Confirms New BT Mobile 4G Service on EE's Network|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|date=25 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226162600/https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/25/bt-mobile-ee/|archive-date=26 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> BT Group CEO [[Gavin Patterson]] announced that BT plans to migrate all of its customers onto the IP network by 2025, switching off the company's [[ISDN]] network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://e-callconnect.co.uk/bt-plans-to-switch-off-isdn-network-by-2025/ |title=BT plans to switch off ISDN network by 2025 |publisher=eCall |date=27 June 2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903212234/http://e-callconnect.co.uk/bt-plans-to-switch-off-isdn-network-by-2025/ |archive-date=3 September 2015  }}</ref>

On 15 January 2016, BT received approval by the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] to acquire [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BT takeover of EE gets final Competition and Markets Authority clearance |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35320831 |access-date=15 January 2016 |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115074625/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35320831 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal was officially completed on 29 January 2016 with [[Deutsche Telekom]] then owning 12% of BT, while [[Orange S.A.]] owned 4%.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT Group PLC Completion of the acquisition of EE Limited|url=http://www.4-traders.com/BT-GROUP-PLC-4003616/news/BT-Group-PLC-Completion-of-the-acquisition-of-EE-Limited-21767295/|access-date=29 January 2016|work=4-traders|date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130092602/http://www.4-traders.com/BT-GROUP-PLC-4003616/news/BT-Group-PLC-Completion-of-the-acquisition-of-EE-Limited-21767295/|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 February 2016, BT announced a new organisational structure to take effect from April 2016 after acquiring [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]]. The EE brand, network and high street stores became a second consumer division, operating alongside [[BT Consumer]] to serve customers with mobile services, broadband and TV and  continued to deliver the Emergency Services Network contract awarded to EE in late 2015. There was to be a new BT Business and Public Sector division with around £5bn of revenues to serve small and large businesses as well as the public sector in the UK and Ireland. It was to comprise the existing [[BT Business]] division along with EE's business division and those parts of [[BT Global Services]] that are UK focused. There will also be another new division; BT Wholesale and Ventures that will comprise the existing [[BT Wholesale]] division along with EE's [[MVNO]] business as well as some specialist businesses such as Fleet, Payphones and Directories. Gerry McQuade, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Business at EE, was to be its CEO.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT announces new structure|url=http://www.btplc.com/news/#/pressreleases/bt-announces-new-structure-1304769|access-date=1 February 2016|work=BT News|publisher=BT Group PLC|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131082054/http://www.btplc.com/news/#/pressreleases/bt-announces-new-structure-1304769|archive-date=31 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BT reports a 24% jump in quarterly profits amid revamp|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35457574|access-date=1 February 2016|work=BBC News|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201113742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35457574|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Kate|title=BT unveils management overhaul as it reports 'seven-year high' in revenue growth|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12133217/BT-unveils-new-structure-as-it-posts-best-revenue-growth-in-seven-years.html|access-date=1 February 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100906/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12133217/BT-unveils-new-structure-as-it-posts-best-revenue-growth-in-seven-years.html|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The June [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]] set off the Brexit process.

On 8 June 2017, BT appointed [[KPMG]] as its new auditor to replace [[PwC]] in the wake of a fraud scandal in Italy that triggered a major profit warning earlier that year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christopher|first1=Williams|title=BT appoints KPMG as auditor as PwC is ousted after 33 years in wake of Italian scandal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/06/08/bt-appoints-kpmg-auditor-pwc-ousted-33-years-wake-italian-scandal/|access-date=10 June 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610113401/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/06/08/bt-appoints-kpmg-auditor-pwc-ousted-33-years-wake-italian-scandal/|archive-date=10 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in of that year, KPMG fired six US employees over a scandal that calls into question efforts to ensure that public company accounts are being properly scrutinised.<ref>[[Financial Times]], "KPMG scandal highlights problem of auditing's revolving door", 2017/04/13</ref>

On 8 July 2017, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that BT "has called in consultants from [[McKinsey]] to conduct a review of its businesses in the hope of saving hundreds of millions of pounds per year. The work, dubbed 'Project Novator', is understood to include a potential merger of BT's struggling global services corporate networking and IT unit with its business and public sector division".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/07/08/bt-seeks-stem-slump-overhaul/|title=BT seeks to stem slump with overhaul|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=8 July 2017|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224010019/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/07/08/bt-seeks-stem-slump-overhaul/|archive-date=24 December 2018|url-status=live|last1=Williams|first1=Christopher}}</ref> On 28 July 2017, BT again announced organisational changes to "simplify its operating model, strengthen accountabilities and accelerate its transformation" to bring together its [[BT Consumer]] and [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] divisions into a new unified BT Consumer division to operate across three brands – BT, [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] and [[Plusnet]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=English|first1=Simon|title=BT hints at its next boss in shake-up of consumer arm|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bt-hints-at-its-next-boss-in-shakeup-of-consumer-arm-a3598541.html|access-date=24 November 2017|work=London Evening Standard|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035956/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bt-hints-at-its-next-boss-in-shakeup-of-consumer-arm-a3598541.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Organisation and senior management changes at BT|url=http://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/organisation-and-senior-management-changes-at-bt-2086252|access-date=24 November 2017|work=BT News & Media|publisher=BT Group PLC|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119133236/http://btplc.com/News/index.htm#/pressreleases/organisation-and-senior-management-changes-at-bt-2086252|archive-date=19 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gwynn|first1=Simon|title=BT brings EE and Consumer under combined leadership|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-brings-ee-consumer-combined-leadership/1440724|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Campaign|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040414/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-brings-ee-consumer-combined-leadership/1440724|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hoscik|first1=Martin|title=BT brings EE, Plusnet and BT brands into a new unified consumer division|url=http://www.seenit.co.uk/bt-brings-ee-plusnet-and-bt-brands-into-a-new-unified-consumer-division/|access-date=24 November 2017|work=SEENIT|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035604/http://www.seenit.co.uk/bt-brings-ee-plusnet-and-bt-brands-into-a-new-unified-consumer-division/|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It was to take effect from 1 April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consumer|url=https://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/Ourcompany/Groupbusinesses/btconsumer/index.htm|website=BT Group|access-date=24 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122163257/http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/Ourcompany/Groupbusinesses/btconsumer/index.htm|archive-date=22 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 April 2018, BT announced further organisational changes after unification of BT Consumer and EE divisions, bringing together its [[BT Business and Public Sector]] and [[BT Wholesale and Ventures]] divisions into a new unified division known as ''BT Enterprise''. It was to include BT's Ventures business which "acts as an incubator for potential new growth areas of the company" and to report as a single unit from 1 October 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT forms new business unit BT Enterprise|url=https://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/bt-forms-new-business-unit-bt-enterprise-2480484|access-date=24 April 2018|work=BT Group|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425031939/https://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/bt-forms-new-business-unit-bt-enterprise-2480484|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Torrance|first1=Jack|title=BT business boss departs in latest shake-up|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/18/bt-business-boss-departs-latest-shake-up/|access-date=24 April 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423190353/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/18/bt-business-boss-departs-latest-shake-up/|archive-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McCaskill|first1=Steve|title=BT Enterprise combines Business and Wholesale divisions|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/bt-enterprise-combines-business-and-wholesale-divisions|access-date=24 April 2018|work=TechRadar|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032242/https://www.techradar.com/news/bt-enterprise-combines-business-and-wholesale-divisions|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Holly|title=BT overhaul continues with merger of enterprise divisions|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/bt-overhaul-continues-merger-enterprise-12383734|access-date=24 April 2018|work=Business Insider|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114640/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/bt-overhaul-continues-merger-enterprise-12383734|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2021 to present ===
In February 2021, BT and EE launched a fixed-line home broadband service that can also use the mobile network. With the introduction of the Hybrid Connect device, customers who lost connection through their [[BT Smart Hub|Smart Hub 2]] would automatically be connected to EE's mobile network, giving them an uninterrupted connection that BT described as "unbreakable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metz |first=Axel |date=3 February 2021 |title=BT and EE launch "unbreakable" home Wi-Fi |url=https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/bt-and-ee-launch-unbreakable-home-wi-fi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522112235/https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/bt-and-ee-launch-unbreakable-home-wi-fi |archive-date=22 May 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2021, French telecommunications company [[Altice (company)|Altice]] acquired a 12% stake in BT,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57425281|title=France's second biggest telecoms firm buys 12% of BT |work=BBC News |date=10 June 2021 |language=en|access-date=2021-06-11}}</ref> increasing to 18% in December 2021<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/patrick-drahi-s-altice-tightens-grip-on-bt-raises-stake-to-18-121121401259_1.html|title=Patrick Drahi's Altice tightens grip on BT, raises stake to 18%|date=15 December 2021 |language=en|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref> and 24.5% in May 2023. [[Patrick Drahi]]'s purchase of 650 million shares cost about £960 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/23/patrick-drahi-bt-stake-altice-uk-telecoms|title=French billionaire Patrick Drahi ups BT stake to more than 24%|date=23 May 2023 |language=en|access-date=2023-07-27}}</ref> Altice's increasing stake in BT Group posed questions around the [[National security#United Kingdom|national security]] of the United Kingdom's infrastructure, and the UK government opened an investigation in May 2022 to look into possible security implications. In August 2022, the government completed its investigation and ruled that Drahi would not be required to cut his stake in BT, concluding that the investment did not pose any national security risks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jolly |first=Jasper |date=2022-08-23 |title=Billionaire Patrick Drahi allowed to keep BT stake after security review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/aug/23/billionaire-patrick-drahi-allowed-to-keep-bt-stake-after-security-review |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In July 2023, BT announced the appointment of businesswoman [[Allison Kirkby]] as its chief executive, replacing [[Philip Jansen]] in February 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Prescott |first=Katie |date=2023-07-31 |title=Allison Kirkby, new chief executive at BT, to continue with cost-cutting strategy |newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/technology/article/allison-kirkby-new-chief-executive-at-bt-to-continue-with-cost-cutting-strategy-b9skbqn5s |access-date=2023-07-31 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Ian |date=12 August 2024 |title=Big question for BT after Indian billionaire snaps up stake |url=https://news.sky.com/story/big-question-for-bt-after-indian-billionaire-snaps-up-stake-13196026 |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2024, [[Carlos Slim]] acquired a 3.2% equity stake in the group.<ref name="thetimes_com" /> Two months later, [[Sunil Mittal]]'s [[Bharti Enterprises]] paid around £3.2bn for Drahi's 24.5% stake.<ref name=":0" />