BT boosts broadband numbers
BT’s fortunes have been bolstered by increased demand for its high-speed broadband services.
The telecoms company registered 114,000 net broadband additions in the second quarter, giving the company a 45% market share.
The company says the roll out of high-speed fibre-based broadband service BT Infinity has passed 4,000 per week. It now has 1.6 million customers on 20Mbps or BT Infinity broadband services, a six-fold increase on last year.
The telecoms company has marketed its broadband and television services heavily this year.
BT Vision rolled out a £30m marketing campaign in July following an agreement earlier this year to allow Sky Sports content to be shown on the platform.
Despite the investment, BT added just 24,000 net additions in the quarter with the customer base now about half a million.
The company says over 50,000 customers have taken the Sky Sports service since it launched in August.
BT Vision plans to launch a 3D service, with the BBC iPlayer also to be added during the second half of the year.
Global Services, BT’s IT consultancy arm, saw orders rise 50% to £2.1bn over the quarter. Its future has been assured by renewed contracts with the likes of the Ministry of Defence and rail infrastructure operator Network Rail.
BT had been marred by profit warnings but showed an adjusted earnings rise of £2.85bn in the half year to 30 September, a 4% increase on last year.
Overall BT adjusted second quarter revenues dropped 3% to £4.98bn, with adjusted earnings up 3% to £1.45bn.
