BT still ahead of the chasing pack in broadband stakes |
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Published
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Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:15
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LONDON - BT is still on top of the broadband stakes despite the emergence of competitors like Carphone Warehouse, Orange and Sky who are all offering "free" broadband.
BT customer numbers continue to rise with a six percent jump to 2.8 million in the three months ending June. These numbers include a 30 percent increase in broadband customers. Pre-tax profits for BT broadband rose £615 million from £511 million reported at the same time last year. BT Retail income did dip by 2 percent, but was compensated by an equal rise in BT Wholesale. BT reported a 0.3 percent increase in revenues from its small and medium businesses as 500,000 businesses now use its service.
BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen said the company was not too bothered about free broadband offers. "There are now two markets for broadband," he said. "The pretty crowded one based on price alone, and the value proposition which we have created. People look to BT for much more than a dumb pipe - they want to have the services"
BT Global Services revenues increased by 4 percent to £2.15 billion. The company reported that more than 20 percent of this business was generated outside the UK. "Our international business is expanding strongly and we won more than 200 new customer accounts outside the UK in the quarter. Our first quarter results underpin our confidence in our ability to continue to grow our revenue, underlying earning,” Verwaayen said.
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