BT Openreach told to pull ‘unfair’ broadband discount Telecoms Ofcom has moved to block a heavily discounted Openreach broadband offer after warning it could squeeze rival fibre networks out of the market, in the regulator’s first attempt to stop a commercial deal from BT’s network arm. The telecoms watchdog said Openreach’s proposed discount for internet providers signing up new full-fibre customers was “not fair [...]
BT braces for loss of 800,000 customers as it banks on fibre to keep turnaround ‘on track’ Telecoms BT stuck to its cash targets despite another quarter of flat sales and falling profit, as the telecoms giant pointed to growing demand for its fibre network. The FTSE 100 firm held guidance for around £2bn of free cash flow this year after revenue edged little changed to £4.3bn in the first quarter. Pre-tax profit [...]
As it happened: Stocks slip as oil hits $100 following Houthi attacks on tankers Markets Welcome back to the Morning Wire FTSE 100 liveblog. Stocks slipped on Thursday morning as oil surged back to $100 per barrel for the first time since May. Brent crude barrelled up after the Iran-backed Houthis claimed to have attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The US last night launched its [...]
BT tops FTSE 100 after finding new home for international business with Verizon joint venture June 29, 2026 BT unveiled a new home for its international operations on Monday, in a move the £19.5bn firm called a “milestone”, which sent its shares to the top of the FTSE 100. A joint venture with Verizon of the US will target multinational customers and help the former monopoly concentrate on its domestic market. BT will [...]
LSE draws up ‘worst case scenario’ US listing flight risk June 28, 2026 The London Stock Exchange is preparing for as many as 20 FTSE 100-listed companies to move their direct listings to New York, according to reports, in a move that would leave a £2bn gap in the Treasury’s earnings from stamp duty on share trades. The exchange has drawn up a worst-case scenario plan in which [...]
2026 World Cup: How England went from misery to magnet for blue chip brands June 16, 2026 As they begin their 2026 World Cup campaign, the England brand is unrecognisable from 10 years ago – and it is paying off in growing revenues for the FA. This month marks a decade since one of the darkest days in the Football Association’s history, when England’s men were humbled by Iceland – a nation [...]
BT boss bags pay rise despite £3.7bn cost-cutting drive June 11, 2026 BT chief executive Allison Kirkby received a £5.6m pay package last year, more than double the £2.5m she earned a year earlier, as the telecoms giant accelerated a sweeping cost-cutting programme designed to strip billions from the business. According to the FTSE 100 group’s annual report, Kirkby was paid £5.58m for the year to 31 [...]
BT overhauls dividend policy as it vows ‘enhanced distributions’ for shareholders May 21, 2026 BT has refreshed its dividend policy as the telco giant vowed to deliver “enhanced distributions” for shareholders. The FTSE 100 member declared a final dividend of 5.87p, increasing its full-year dividend by 2 per cent to 8.32p. BT said its new policy would be to “grow the dividend by low to mid single digit percent [...]
As it happened: Stocks jittery as Iran war drags on; Reeves unveil cost-of-living package May 21, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Donald Trump has warned Iran there are two options that could see the US finishing the war in Iran, with one that will “see a few people killed as opposed to a lot”. He added: “We could do it either way.” It’s the latest threat from the White [...]
BT bags five-year digital contract with BAE Systems May 14, 2026 BT has signed a five-year deal with BAE Systems to provide secure connectivity across the defence giant’s global operations, as military contractors ramp up digital infrastructure spend. The contract will see BT support BAE’s network across 40 countries, with an option to extend the partnership by an additional three years. The deal comes as BAE, [...]