We connect for good
BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 Staying connected has never been as important
When people connect, there’s no limit to the good they can do. Today, that’s truer than ever. The connections we make are helping solve the world’s biggest challenges such as the global pandemic, climate change and cyber security. Through the power of technology, we’re supporting customers to live, work and play together better. In these extraordinary times we are sharpening our focus and accelerating change. We connect for good Good for… our customers
EE tops the table Giving small Unbreakable Delivering the best mobile experience remains our businesses a boost wi‑fi connection priority. Being recognised as the UK’s best network Last summer, we launched Innovation is at the heart of what for the fifteenth consecutive time reflects our a support scheme for small we do. Our new unbreakable continued investment in keeping our customers businesses that promises to internet service brings together connected to the things that matter to them most. boost their connectivity, the combined power of BT cash flow and confidence. and EE’s networks. the country
Gifting tablets and Helped 10 million people in the Beating loneliness data to the NHS UK to improve their digital skills with BT+1 Giving unlimited free data to EE When we launched Skills for Tomorrow, In a year that has kept us apart customers who work for the NHS we said we wanted to help 10 million from our loved ones, we started and providing tablets to hospital people in the UK learn about tech. a movement to bring us closer wards so patients could videocall We’ve now achieved this aim, five to family and friends. friends and family are just two of years earlier than expected. the ways we supported the NHS in 2020. our customers our colleagues
Better workplace Celebrating the Colleague Our new workplaces are here to shape Board’s first birthday the direction of our business. A modern We launched the Colleague Board so company that’s better connected to we could give everyone here a voice. colleagues and customers. Through a tough year they’ve been inspiring change across our business.
tomorrow
Our aim to be Young scientists make Taking 5G to school Net Zero heroes exhibition of themselves We’re bringing 5G into the We’ve been leading on climate We’ve been sponsoring what’s heart of the classroom through action for more than 25 years and now the BT Young Scientist & immersive experiences. we’re now targeting net zero for Technology Exhibition for the Outer space, under the ocean or the whole of BT by 2045. past 21 years, proud to help on top of Mount Everest, students cultivate and nurture Ireland’s can feel like they’re right there future scientists and engineers. with this new way of learning – the first of its kind in the UK. Strategic report 1
There never has been a Contents Strategic report more crucial time to play A message from our Chairman 2 such an important role in the A message from our Chief Executive 5 Executive Committee 8 lives of our customers. We About BT and our purpose 10 have sharpened our focus, Our business model 12 Key trends influencing BT 14 accelerated our digital drive Regulatory update 16 and supported the nation in Our ambition and strategy 18 Strategic progress 20 adapting to the new normal. Our stakeholders 34 Section 172 statement 42 Non-financial information 44 Our key performance indicators (KPIs) 46 Group performance 48 A letter from the Chair of Openreach 56 How we manage risk 57 Our principal risks and uncertainties 59 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures 67 Viability statement 68
Corporate governance report 69 Financial statements 111 Additional information 197
Look out for these throughout the report:
Reference to another page in the report
Reference to further reading online For more information read our Digital Impact and Sustainability Report at
bt.com/sustainabilityreport
This Strategic report was approved by the Board on 12 May 2021.
By order of the Board.
Jan du Plessis Chairman 12 May 2021
To read these stories and more – visit our online Please see the cautionary statement regarding forward- annual review and see how looking statements on page 200. we’re connecting for good. Pages 1 to 68 form the Strategic report. It includes our business model, strategic progress, our key performance bt.com/annualreview indicators, group performance and our principal risks and uncertainties. The Corporate governance report on pages 69 to 110 forms the Report of the Directors and includes the Report on directors’ remuneration.
BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 2
A message from our Chairman
This has been a year like no other. Competitive pressures across all of BT’s business areas have intensified, the pace of technological change has accelerated further and dependency on the connectivity we provide our customers has become absolute. To keep pace with this changing landscape, business transformation at BT has become a constant.
A year like no other Strategic report 3
This year, though, the greatest driving To facilitate this significant investment – force of transformation – whether and to help us navigate the uncertainties temporary or permanent – at any caused by the pandemic without organisation has been Covid-19. compromising our credit rating – we The pandemic has been gruelling for took the tough but necessary decision everybody and BT has more than played last year to suspend the 2019/20 final The vital services we its part in the national and international dividend and all dividends for this year provide helped to improve effort to deal with its consequences. and rebase it. The Board expects to resume dividend payments in 2021/22 The vital services we provide helped to things for those in their time at 7.7 pence per share, with 30% payable improve things for those in their time of at the interim stage later this year. of greatest need, keeping greatest need, keeping friends, families, friends, families, businesses businesses and crucial Government In March 2021, Ofcom published the services – including the NHS – connected. outcome of the WFTMR. With it came the and crucial Government We also undoubtedly played a role in regulatory certainty we required on behalf services – including the helping the online retailers who have of our shareholders to confirm our FTTPa become so important to many of us. build investment and we have since further NHS – connected. increased and accelerated our target from The way BT has managed through 20m to 25m premises by December 2026. the pandemic whilst progressing its This will be the single largest investment business modernisation programme in the country’s digital infrastructure for is a significant achievement. It is the a generation and it will support the UK’s commitment of the whole BT team transition to a gigabit economy. that made this possible, best illustrated by the award of no fewer than eight Ofcom has clearly moved to a regulatory MBEs to colleagues in recognition of regime that encourages network builders their efforts during the pandemic. to invest in the UK’s digital infrastructure. This should be welcomed by everybody, Despite the resilience of our colleagues including investors, given the importance and our networks, and the dependency of of outstanding connectivity to the UK’s our customers on the service we provide, future prosperity. our financial performance during the year has been impacted by the pandemic. Although in line with expectations, Climate pledge and digital skills adjusted revenue and EBITDA were both down 6% compared to last year and Investing for the future must also include normalised free cash flow was 27% the collective and individual steps we lower than the previous year. take on climate change and in supporting our society and communities. As we build We know our investors and our customers back better from this awful pandemic, understand that BT must modernise progress against both these imperatives Net to maintain its leadership position and couldn’t be more important. return to financial strength. Doing so will improve our offer to customers and BT has pledged to be a net zero business in turn we will generate value for our by 2045 and we’re working with our zero shareholders. Modernising BT is a core suppliers to help them reduce their part of the company’s revised strategic carbon emissions by 42% by March we have pledged to be a framework which was launched this year 2031. In November, we reached the net zero business by 2045 – and on which you will find more detail milestone of sourcing 100% of electricity, and we’re working with our in Philip Jansen’s message on page 6. worldwide, from renewables. At the same suppliers to help them reduce time, we announced our ambition to move their carbon emissions nearly all of BT Group’s vehicles – the Building our networks UK’s second largest commercial fleet at almost 33,000 in total, including 28,000 At the heart of BT lie its networks. Openreach vehicles – to electric and Investing in our broadband and mobile alternative fuels by 2030. networks is investing in the future of BT. The 2020/21 financial year was of vital While climate change has been high 10m importance in this regard: we committed on the agenda for many years, 2020 this year – five years ahead to make investments that will be the put digital inclusion at the heart of of target – we hit our goal of foundation of BT’s success over the long- UK politics. Our Lockdown Learning reaching 10m people with help term and which will in turn underpin much and Standout Skills campaigns are to improve their digital skills of the UK’s future economic prosperity. examples of the support we provided customers on digital inclusion and In May 2020 we set out our target, skills training during the year. subject to the right conditions – and critically the outcome of Ofcom’s These initiatives have been a success. This Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market year – five years ahead of target – we hit Review (WFTMR) – to build full fibre our goal of reaching 10m people with help broadband to 20m premises across to improve their digital skills by 2026. We the UK by the mid- to late-2020s. have now extended that target to a more stretching ambition to reach 25m people by the end of March 2026.
a Fibre-to-the-premises, also known as full fibre. BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 4
A message from our Chairman continued
Board changes Our relationship with Ofcom has improved significantly since 2017 and We welcomed two new directors the business case for FTTP is now during the year: Adel Al-Saleh joined clearly positive. In a few short years, on 15 May 2020 as a non-independent, the number of premises passed by non-executive director and Deutsche Openreach has increased more than We have now seen almost Telekom’s nominated representative, and tenfold from 420,000 premises to 4.6m. five years of consecutive Sara Weller CBE joined on 16 July 2020, And Openreach is now building at pace immediately before the AGM. – aiming to ramp up its build rate to 4m improvements in our homes and businesses a year. Mike Inglis has decided not to put quarterly customer himself forward for re-election as a Our Global business has fully recovered satisfaction surveys and, non-executive director at our 2021 AGM. from its significant problems some years Our thanks go to Mike for his six years of ago. A new leadership team with a new most recently, record service and as a highly active member strategy has worked tirelessly to divest Net Promoter Scores for of the Board, sitting at various times as a networks and operations in around 20 member of virtually all our committees countries globally and are successfully both the BT and EE brands. – the Audit & Risk, Nominations, executing their strategy to focus Remuneration, BT Compliance and Digital capabilities on today’s software-defined Impact & Sustainability Committees. world. Global is now fully stabilised and making a positive and valuable As announced on 1 March 2021, I will contribution to the group. be retiring as chairman of the company later in the year. Chairing the Board of In our Consumer business we are seeing BT has been a tremendous privilege. the benefits of some significant long- Although it’s a much over-used word, it term investments aimed at improving really is true that BT is a unique business. customer experience. We have on- With it come a unique set of challenges shored our customer service teams; we but navigating the complexity is as are levelling up the gap between new rewarding as it is demanding, because and existing customer pricing; and we what this great company does, really are now starting to see the first wave matters to so many people. However, of truly converged products that use having served as chairman of significant the combined power of BT’s fixed and FTSE companies for 17 years, I know mobile networks coming to market. that personally the time is now right We have now seen almost five years for me to focus on other interests. of consecutive improvements in our quarterly customer satisfaction surveys The search for my successor is being led and, most recently, record Net Promoter by Iain Conn, the senior independent Scores for both the BT and EE brands. director, and shareholders should know that I have assured the Board that I am Looking to the future, the Board and fully committed to serve as chairman as management do not for a moment under- part of an orderly transition process until estimate the scale of the challenge we my successor is in place. face in further modernising BT to ensure that we can provide brilliant service to Prospects our customers in a highly competitive industry. At the same time, we are excited If, in my fourth and final letter to by the opportunities ahead of us. shareholders, I wanted to reflect on BT has a strong and diverse Board at the events since I stepped up as chairman, helm, an outstanding leadership team there can be no denying the overall under our chief executive, Philip Jansen, decline in our share price – a decline and a clear strategic purpose and vision which in fact stretches back a full five that is being well executed. I am proud to years. I know shareholders will derive little have played a part in helping to achieve comfort from the knowledge that much these strong building blocks and I have of this decline reflects trends seen across every confidence that BT is well placed our sector, but I am pleased that our share for the next stage in its development price has performed much better over the towards consistent and sustainable last year, increasing by about 50% from growth over the long term. the depressed levels at which we traded for much of last year. Jan du Plessis Chairman Much of that recovery reflects the 12 May 2021 tremendous dedication and hard work of the management team in recent years, together with some real improvements in the fundamental prospects of our business.
BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 Strategic report 5
A message from our Chief Executive
We launched a range of customer In a year when so much has been reappraised initiatives to help people during the across business and society, BT’s purpose has pandemic, including our digital skills and inclusion campaigns, Top Tips on Tech shone through as a clear guiding principle: and our Lockdown Learning support we connect for good. Globally, our colleagues package; our free unlimited data offer for EE customers working in the NHS; have gone the extra mile for our customers the launch of our Small Business Support this year, keeping them, their families, friends Scheme; and we provided high-speed fibre and wi-fi connectivity to over 200 and businesses connected. vaccination centres, connecting mass testing centres and 17 temporary NHS hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales.
A pivotal year 6
A message from our Our record high customer service ratings have the capacity to fund this additional reflect the outstanding efforts of all build from internal resources. However, Chief Executive continued our colleagues. We’ve still got progress we believe we can deliver further value to make but these are good signs, to shareholders by funding the additional demonstrating the value our customers 5m premises through a joint venture place on the critical connectivity – as well with external parties and we will begin as the improvements in experience and exploring options. service – we’ve provided them this year. In mobile, we have extended our 4G Customer ratings are positive across coverage, and hit our target of doubling virtually all parameters and BT’s customer our 5G network which now reaches 160 satisfaction is the highest it’s ever been. towns and cities with broader and more That doesn’t mask the fact that the highly rated coverage than any other pandemic has been hard for our operator. Following the conclusion of colleagues. At the start of the year we Ofcom’s 5G spectrum auction in March gave our frontline key workers a 1.5% 2021 – securing the spectrum we need at pay rise and froze pay for managers; a lower than expected cost – we will be we guaranteed no job losses directly able to continue growing our position Our record high customer resulting from the pandemic in the first as the UK’s number one 5G network. three months of the year; and we took The investments we make in these service ratings reflect the the decision not to use the Government’s two leading networks over the next furlough scheme. For the current financial outstanding efforts of all decade or so mean we’ll be able to year we have frozen pay for all colleagues combine them to create the UK’s our colleagues. We’ve still but plan to pay a special bonus for our leading smart converged network, the frontline colleagues of £1,000 in cash and got progress to make but power of which will deliver economic £500 in shares to recognise and thank prosperity for decades to come. these are good signs, them for their efforts. demonstrating the value We also supported colleagues around the Improved investment case our customers place on world by setting up a dedicated wellbeing the critical connectivity portal, providing weekly updates from The confirmation of our FTTP investment, our chief medical officer, listening and based on our confidence of being able we provide them. responding to colleagues’ concerns to achieve a fair return; the completion and massively ramping up our internal of the 5G spectrum auction; and the communications to ensure they felt successful conclusion of the 2020 supported wherever they are. triennial BT Pension Scheme valuation Despite the outstanding operational have cleared up some significant performance of our colleagues in the uncertainties for our shareholders. This face of the pandemic, our financial clarity now allows us to focus on executing performance during the year was our strategy and returning BT to growth. significantly impacted by Covid-19. Revenue alone was around £1.6bn lower Refreshed strategic direction than the previous year and this had a knock-on effect on our EBITDA and In July 2020, we introduced BT’s new normalised free cash flow. strategic framework. It comprises three pillars which support our ambition to be the world’s most trusted connector of Importance of our networks people, devices and machines: build the Without connectivity as we know it today, strongest foundations; create standout the global impact of Covid-19 would customer experiences; and lead the way have been unthinkable. BT’s leading to a bright sustainable future. networks have been a lifeline throughout Our network investments form a key the pandemic for our customers. Daytime part of our work to build the strongest data traffic over our broadband network foundations for the company. During doubled from an average of five terabits the year, I also made changes to the per second (Tbps) to around 10 Tbps with Executive Committee and to the way more people at home during the day. we operate across the organisation to 2020 will be the year we look back on as ensure we are best placed to continue the moment society truly understood delivering for our customers. the value of good connectivity. In 2021, we’re stepping up to deliver the next generation of infrastructure and we will be increasing and accelerating our FTTP build plan by an additional 5m premises, from 20m to 25m by December 2026. We
BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 Strategic report 7
In January 2021, we announced Mike Looking forward Sherman’s departure and the formation 160 of two new units: Digital, led by Harmeen In March 2021, our chairman, Jan du Mehta, who joined from Bharti Airtel, in Plessis, announced his intention to retire We continued to invest in our the newly created role of chief digital and from the Board. On behalf of everyone at mobile network, hitting our target innovation officer; and Networks, led by BT, including the Board and the Executive of doubling our 5G footprint and Howard Watson, chief technology officer. Committee, I wish Jan all the very best reaching 160 towns and cities with Rob Shuter joined as CEO of Enterprise in for his retirement, thanks for his wise EE’s mobile network February 2021 from MTN, replacing Gerry counsel and congratulations on a truly McQuade who retired from BT. In March outstanding and accomplished career. we announced that Sabine Chalmers will We are investing heavily in the future of become general counsel and director of the business, including the expansion regulatory affairs, following the departure and acceleration of our full fibre build Halo 3+ of Cathryn Ross who will leave BT in June plan. This additional investment 2021 for a new role outside our sector. We’re providing customers with reflects the scale of our ambition to the seamless connectivity they With this much strengthened executive reinforce the foundations for growth, need: we launched Halo 3+, team now in place, we are set to both for the company and the nation. the UK’s first unbreakable accelerate our progress to modernise During this financial year we’ll start our broadband connection BT and return this business to top- pivot to growth in revenue and EBITDA. line, profitable growth. Last year we We’ll continue to grow both metrics set our target of £1bn annualised cost predictably and consistently into the savings by 2023, rising to £2bn by future, underpinning the reintroduction 2025. We’ve made very good progress of our progressive dividend this year. in the first year, achieving £764m of gross annualised savings in 2020/21. Although the scale of the investments we are making will inevitably press During the year we also broke new on cash flow over the next few years, ground with the introduction of exciting they will not impact our ability to pay a products that will provide customers dividend and they are designed to deliver with the seamless connectivity they enduring success for all BT stakeholders. need: we launched Halo 3+, the UK’s first Furthermore, once we are through the unbreakable broadband connection; EE x2 peak investment phase, we will see a very had a great launch of the Apple iPhone material increase in cash flow creating Daytime data traffic over our 12 in the autumn; and Global launched further options for BT in the future. broadband network doubled Eagle-i, our new security platform that from an average of five terabits will transform our managed services We’ve achieved a huge amount this year, per second (Tbps) to around through proactive, predictive cyber and while there’s still a lot more to do, 10 Tbps with more people at security protection. BT is now on the front foot and driving home during the day growth and value for all our investors and stakeholders. Philip Jansen Chief Executive 12 May 2021
To see Philip in conversation visit our online annual review.
bt.com/annualreview
BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 8
Executive Committee
Philip Jansen Chief executive Appointed as chief executive in February 2019 The Executive Committee provides and to the Board in January 2019. input and recommendations Philip joined BT from Worldpay where he had been CEO since April 2013. Before that to assist the chief executive he was CEO and then chairman at Brakes with strategy development and Group between 2010 and 2015. Philip spent the previous six years at Sodexo where operational management. It is he was group chief operating officer and chaired by the chief executive. chief executive, Europe, South Africa and India. Prior to that he was chief operating officer at MyTravel Group from 2002 to 2004 and managing director of Telewest The Executive Committee assists the chief executive to: Communications (now Virgin Media) from 2000 to 2002, after starting his career at – develop group strategy and budget for approval by Procter & Gamble. the Board
– execute the strategy once the Board approves it Simon Lowth Chief financial officer – give assurance to the Board on overall performance Appointed July 2016. and how we’re managing risks. Simon was CFO of BG Group before the The chief executive, or his delegate, take all decisions. takeover by Royal Dutch Shell in February This is so there is a single point of accountability. 2016. Prior to that he was CFO of AstraZeneca, Executive Committee changes and finance director and executive director of ScottishPower. Simon was also previously The following changes to the Executive Committee took a director of McKinsey & Company. place during the year: – Gerry McQuade left BT and therefore ceased as CEO, Enterprise Ed Petter Corporate affairs director – Rob Shuter joined BT as CEO, Enterprise Appointed November 2016. – Michael Sherman left BT and therefore ceased as Ed was formerly deputy director of corporate chief strategy and transformation officer affairs at Lloyds Banking Group. Prior to that – Harmeen Mehta joined BT as chief digital and he held corporate affairs roles at McDonald’s innovation officer. Europe, McKinsey & Company and the Blue Rubicon communications consultancy, having The following changes have been announced to previously worked as a news producer and the Executive Committee that will take effect from editor at the BBC. 1 June 2021: – Cathryn Ross will leave BT and therefore cease as regulatory affairs director Howard Watson Chief technology officer – Sabine Chalmers will become general counsel and Appointed February 2016 as chief technology director of regulatory affairs. and information officer and became chief technology officer in March 2021. Howard was formerly chief architect and managing director, global IT systems and led the technical teams behind the launch of BT Sport in 2013. Howard joined BT in 2011 and has 30 years of telecoms experience having spent time at Telewest Communications (now Virgin Media) and Cartesian, a telecommunications consultancy and software company.
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Marc Allera Bas Burger CEO, Consumer CEO, Global Appointed September 2017. Appointed June 2017. Marc was previously CEO, EE and prior to that Bas was formerly president, BT in the chief commercial officer for EE from 2011 to Americas, Global Services. Bas joined 2015. He spent ten years at Three UK as sales BT in 2008 as CEO Benelux. and marketing director and chief commercial Before joining BT, Bas was executive president officer. Prior to that, Marc was general and a member of the management committee manager of Sega UK and Europe. of Getronics NV, where he ran global sales, channels and partnerships, developing the company’s international business. He was also CEO and managing director of KPN Entercom Solutions.
Sabine Chalmers Harmeen Mehta General counsel Chief digital and innovation officer Appointed April 2018. Appointed March 2021. Before joining BT, Sabine was chief legal Before joining BT, Harmeen was group CIO and corporate affairs officer and company and head of cloud & security business at Bharti secretary of Anheuser-BuschInBev for 12 Airtel. Harmeen has experience leading digital, years. She also held various legal leadership engineering, IT and innovation transformation. roles at Diageo. Sabine is qualified to practise Harmeen has previously been CIO at Bank of law in England and Wales and New York State. America Merrill Lynch, BBVA and HSBC.
Cathryn Ross Rob Shuter Regulatory affairs director CEO, Enterprise Appointed January 2018. Appointed February 2021. Cathryn was formerly chief executive of Before joining BT, Rob was group president Ofwat, the independent economic regulator and CEO of MTN Group. Prior to joining for the water and wastewater sector in MTN, Rob was CEO of the Europe cluster of England and Wales. Cathryn is an experienced Vodafone Group having worked there from regulatory and competition economist and 2009 to 2016. Earlier in his career, Rob held has worked across a number of different various roles in the financial sector in South sectors advising on economic, regulatory Africa sector including managing director and competition issues. of retail banking at Nedbank and head of investment banking at Standard Bank. Alison Wilcox HR director Appointed July 2015. Alison was formerly regional HR director for Vodafone Europe and, before that, regional HR director for Vodafone’s Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific footprint. Alison joined Vodafone in 2006 as group director of leadership following a career in consulting.
Clive Selley Rachel Canham Invitee Company secretary & general CEO, Openreach counsel, governance Appointed February 2016. Rachel is company secretary of BT Group Clive was formerly CEO, Technology, plc. She joined BT in 2011 as a senior Service & Operations, CEO innovate & commercial lawyer before becoming chief design and before that president, Global counsel for mergers & acquisitions in 2013. Services portfolio & service design. The CEO, Rachel was appointed company secretary & Openreach cannot be a member of the general counsel, governance in November Executive Committee under the provisions of 2018. Rachel or her delegate attends all the Commitments. Clive attends Executive Executive Committee meetings. Committee meetings as appropriate.
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We champion these connections About BT and our purpose and empower people and organisations to get more from this emerging world, removing We’re one of the world’s leading communications limits and unlocking potential. services companies. The solutions we sell are We harness the power of technology integral to modern life. Our purpose is as simple to help solve some of the world’s as it is ambitious: we connect for good. There biggest challenges such as cyber security, the global pandemic are no limits to what people can do when they and climate change. connect. And as technology changes our world, Our ambition is to be the world’s most connections are becoming even more important trusted connector of people, devices and machines. Technology is rapidly to everyday life. and fundamentally changing our lives, businesses and societies, and trust will play a critical part in our customers being able to take advantage of these changes. We want to keep showing our customers they can trust and depend on us – that we’re by their side, fixing their problems, innovating to make their lives easier and better. Guiding how we deliver our purpose and ambition, our values of personal, simple, brilliant help us do the right thing for our customers, colleagues and country. We We’re one of the UK’s best-known companies. And we’re also a global organisation, able to provide solutions for our customers in over 180 countries. 2021 marks our 175th birthday, making us the world’s connect oldest communications company too. We provide fixed, mobile and converged connectivity solutions. They include broadband, mobile, TV, networking, IT services and related services and applications. for good We’re responsible for building and operating networks and delivering the connectivity- based solutions that are essential to modern lives, businesses and communities. We’re made up of organisational units. There are customer-facing units that sell solutions to our customers and corporate units that support the whole group. Openreach is a separate but wholly-owned customer-facing unit which is operationally independent.
PurpPurpoPurposeseose Whye ee i twe e exist i t e cWeo ecte c connecto ect or for goo or goodgoo
20302030 Ambition Ambition2030 Ambition Who we must become o o e te t e eco eco e Strategy o e Too et e be t e the or world’sor o most to t How we’ll grow value tr tr t trustede t e co ec c connectoro ector to or peop o of people,peop e e for all our stakeholders devices and machines e i cee i c a e a ac i ac i e e 1 2 3
Build oo i g theoo i g i i Create oo i g oo i gLead o t the o t way oo i g oo i g to t e to t e t t re re ValuValueValuesses strongestBuildBuild the the standout CreaCtrtoeea at bright,e LeadLead the theway way What will guide us at at i i g i e g i e foundationsstrongstrongest estcustomer standoutstandoutsustainable to at bright,o a bright, Personal, er o a e simple,r o a Si p brilliant Si p e e foundationsfoundationsexperiencescustcusomerfuturetomer experien experiences cessustainablesustainable futu future re ri ia t ri ia t See page 19 for more information on our strategy.
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Financial Our customer-facing units highlights Consumer Global Revenue Serving over 14m households, With the ability to serve customers in we’re the UK’s largest provider of over 180 countries, Global integrates, £21.3bn (7)% consumer mobile, fixed and converged secures and manages network and (2019/20: £22.9bn) communications solutions. We serve all cloud infrastructure and services for types of consumers, giving them a great multinational corporations. Our ambition Profit before tax connection and keeping them safe online. is to solve customers’ increasingly Our ambition is to create a single smart, complex connectivity and communication £1.8bn (23)% converged network that seamlessly needs with over-the-top and platform- (2019/20: £2.4bn) connects customers – wherever they are – enabled business solutions. to the things that matter most to them. Adjusteda EBITDA Enterprise Openreach (6)% £7.4bn Enterprise keeps around 1.2m UK and Openreach runs the UK’s main fixed (2019/20: £7.9bn) Republic of Ireland businesses and public connectivity access network, connecting sector organisations connected. We also homes, mobile phone masts, schools, Cash flow from provide network solutions to more than shops, banks, hospitals, libraries, operating activities 1,400 UK communications providers. Our broadcasters, governments and big and ambition is to partner with our customers small businesses to the world. To make £5.3bn (16)% in their digital transformation journeys sure everyone in the UK benefits from (2019/20: £6.3bn) and be a growth engine for UK business being connected, we want to build the and the public sector. best possible network with the highest quality of service. Normalised free cash flowb £1.5bn (27)% How we’re organised (2019/20: £2.0bn) Digital innovation and our network are at the heart of our ambition. We launched our new Digital and Networks units on 1 April 2021. Digital Basic earnings is responsible for driving our own digital transformation – and rapidly per share developing and delivering innovative solutions and outcomes for our 14.8p (15)% customers. Networks has clear accountability for building and operating (2019/20: 17.5p) our networks and protecting network leadership. These two technology units will work together to lead and drive a unified technology strategy Capital expenditure and architecture to underpin our transformation and growth. £4.2bn 6% Our operating model (2019/20: £4.0bn) Our operating model shows how our organisation is designed to deliver our strategy. It describes the business units, their accountabilities and interfaces. It also explains the intent, purpose and spirit of our operating model.
Corporate Digital Networks Consumer units
Finance, strategy & business services Enterprise
Human resources
Corporate affairs Global Legal, company secretarial & regulatory affairs BT and other Openreach communications providers
Mandate
Corporate units Technology units Customer-facing units Openreach a Adjusted (being before specific items, Run activities Lead and drive a unified technology Own the customer Runs the UK’s main share of post tax profits/losses of on behalf of the strategy and architecture to underpin relationships and deliver fixed connectivity business where it’s transformation and growth in our solutions, outcomes access network for all its associates and joint ventures and beneficial to do customer-facing units through the and services to our customers with greater net non-interest related finance things once, design, build and operation of our customers strategic and operational expense), as explained on page 198. for everyone network and IT independence b Normalised free cash flow as defined on page 199. BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 12
Our business model
We build, own and operate the UK’s largest fixed and mobile networks which support the country’s digital ambitions. We design, market, sell and support differentiated, innovative and compelling solutions to our customers – often working with partners.
We operate in wholesale and retail markets. Our customers are consumers, businesses, multinational corporations, public sector organisations and other communications providers. We keep our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our portfolio of solutions delivers standout customer experiences – helping customers connect, communicate, share, be entertained and do business Our more effectively. assets Consumers buy solutions from our BT, EE and Plusnet brands. They include landline, mobile, broadband and TV services, coupled with supplementary propositions like handsets, accessories and insurance. Businesses buy similar solutions from us, but with more focus on complex managed network solutions, IT services and cyber security. Most customers buy BT products and services on monthly, recurring subscriptions or contracts. Individuals, households and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are typically on 12–24 month contracts. Larger UK and international business customers usually buy managed solutions on multi- We have a unique year contracts. Wholesale customers buy contracts combination of people, ranging from one month to five or more years. technology, content, All these contracts and subscriptions provide networks and other ongoing revenue and help build long-term, assets. This helps trusted customer relationships. us stand out from the competition and provides opportunities to create value for all our stakeholders. Pages 59 to 66 explain how our group risk categories could affect our business model. distinctive
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Customers Colleagues Innovation Our trusted relationships with our large We realise our ambitions through our BT Labs is the heart of our research, customer base help us understand their colleagues. This was especially clear development and innovation, continually current and future needs and put us in during the pandemic as colleagues pushing the boundaries of connectivity a strong position when developing and everywhere kept the UK and our solutions. This year, we created the 5G launching new solutions and propositions. global customers connected. We have Edge-XR, a real-time service which We have a diverse customer base 99,700 full-time equivalent colleagues combines cloud computing and 5G including over 14m households, 1.2m globally, 80,400 of whom are in the UK. networks for sports fans to watch UK and Republic of Ireland business and Their knowledge, behaviours, skills and immersive events from whatever angle, public sector organisations and almost expertise are vital to delivering on our on whatever device. We invested £720m 4,000 global customers. More than 1,400 purpose to connect for good. on research and development this year, UK communications providers buy our filing 109 initial patent applications to network solutions and propositions too. add to our current portfolio of more than 5,100 patents and patent applications.
Retail footprint Financial strength Data
With more than 580 UK BT/EE retail Strong, recurring cash flows help us Our vast, rich data sets help us create stores, we have the largest retail footprint invest in long-term, value-creating more personalised and meaningful of any communications provider. It gives initiatives. This year, we generated experiences for our customers. As we us a uniquely broad reach to engage with, £1.5bn in normalised free cash flowª, apply AI and machine learning, we’ll be support and grow our customer base. after investing £2.3bn in our network to able to work smarter, provide customers continue delivering the best experiences with better solutions and outcomes, and to our customers. open up new growth opportunities.
Networks and Our Suppliers physical assets brands and partners
We own and operate the UK’s largest We serve end customers through three We work closely with a wide range of fixed network. More than 660 distinct, well-established and trusted established partners and suppliers. communications providers use it to brands – BT, EE and Plusnet. They help us Without them, we couldn’t deliver connect their customers. We also hold win and keep a wide range of customers the solutions that best meet our significant stakes in mobile spectrum, across different market segments, customers’ needs. with extensive UK geographic and through solutions targeted to meet their population coverage. EE has been needs. In addition, the Openreach brand RootMetrics’ No. 1 UK mobile network serves communications providers. for seven years in a row and we have a leading integrated core network. Our You can find out more about how we engage unique network and physical assets help with colleagues, customers, suppliers and us deliver reliable and superior service other stakeholders on pages 34 to 41. to our customers. a Normalised free cash flow as defined on page 199.
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Key trends influencing BT
Intense competition
Many of our markets are mature and highly contested by well-known and new competitors. This can drive prices down. But there are still opportunities. Deploying new or more advanced connectivity technologies and solutions creates more value for customers, and for us.
Economic uncertainty
The Covid-19 pandemic led to unprecedented economic uncertainty. The UK economy has shrunk. Unemployment has Increasing gone up.a Although a recovery is predicted in 2021, it’s by no importance means certain. But while Covid-19 has caused financial concern for many consumers, most expect to spend the same or more of connectivity on communications. and digitalisation
a Monetary Policy Report – February 2021 Bank of England. BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 Strategic report 15
New technologies
FTTP and 5G will help networks handle the demand of more connected devices and higher data use, combined with ever-higher speed and reliability expectations. They will also open up new growth opportunities like edge computing, cloud computing, AI and machine learning. And with the increased reliance on connectivity and these new technologies comes a need for stronger and more dependable cyber security.
Shifting customer expectations
Customers continue to care more about getting extra value. With so many more connected devices at home and work, things like flexibility and security become even more important. Most important of all is reliability. Customers need strong and consistent connectivity that isn’t affected by family members, colleagues or anyone else’s activity.
Convergence
Covid-19 underlined the importance of being connected. Indoors or outdoors, rural or There was a huge rise in the number of people working urban, on the move or at home, from home and businesses had to accelerate their digital wherever people or businesses transformations. While the core network is still essential, we’ll are based, today the need keep evolving the solutions we offer to meet our customers’ for a consistent connection changing needs. As consumers and businesses adapt to the is universal. Whatever the post-pandemic socio-economic climate, they’ll need reliable underlying technology, service yet flexible connectivity more than ever. must be seamless, and converged propositions that combine fixed and mobile services also create richer customer experiences.
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full fibre rollout and catalyse economic Regulatory update and social benefits. Cumulo rate relief (relief on the rates charged against our network assets such as ducts and poles) and ‘barrier busting measures’ to make wayleaves and planning easier would help fibre investment go faster. The Government says it will provide at least £1.2bn to support full fibre rollout. This may potentially increase to £5bn if our industry can build gigabit-capable networks to the UK’s ‘final 20%’ of premises over the next five to ten years to support its target. We expect this money to be available through Government procurement, helping us invest in places that wouldn’t normally be commercially viable. When we have more details, we’ll decide whether to bid for funds in line with our business investment criteria.
Shared Rural Network
We’re making great progress extending our rural 4G coverage as part of the Shared Rural Network initiative. We’re upgrading hundreds of existing sites to meet the new coverage obligations in our spectrum licence – including reaching 88% UK geographic coverage by 2024. The Department for Digital, Culture, UK Government and Ofcom’s To support competitive investment, Media & Sport should announce grant investment focus wholesale access prices for fixed final funding soon which will enable new, mile legacy services will remain stable shared infrastructure in areas where The Government recognises how in real terms across the country until at today there’s no 4G on any network – important it is to invest in gigabit- least 2031. Similarly, Ofcom does not making sure 95% of the UK will be able capable networks, with their potential expect to regulate wholesale prices to get 4G from at least one provider. to deliver big economic and societal of full fibre final mile services until at benefits. In line with the Government’s least 2031 – depending on prevailing All-IP strategic priorities, Ofcom has customer outcomes, investment levels continued working to create a regulatory and competition. Any regulation beyond UK phone services will move from framework for fixed communications that point won’t strip away any upside we our legacy public switched telephone that encourages investment. have earned up to then, and won’t cap our network (PSTN) to IP-based services by investment returns below what is needed the end of 2025. This is a key enabler for to compensate for the downside risk our the wider move to full fibre in the UK. Wholesale Fixed Telecoms investors are taking when they decide Market Review (WFTMR) to invest in fibre today. This is otherwise We’ve started moving customers known as Ofcom’s ‘fair bet’ commitment. off the PSTN and we’re working with Ofcom’s WFTMR sets out a clear and Government, Ofcom and industry to long-term framework that promotes We’ll keep working constructively with minimise any disruption. It’s a sensitive and rewards network investment by Ofcom to implement the new regulatory project because of the need to look everyone. It also ensures that consumers framework. At the same time we’ll after vulnerable customers and the will continue to have access to affordable make sure we can compete fairly so that UK’s Critical National Infrastructure. broadband as new networks and services Openreach can offer attractive terms become available. This is positive for to all its downstream communications Broadband Universal BT and our customers. It supports our providers, helping them quickly target to deliver 25m full fibre homes by deliver new services to customers. Service Obligation December 2026 – meaning our customers Implementing the framework will need Launched in March 2020, the broadband will get the faster and more reliable further work with industry to make Universal Service Obligation gives services they need. duct and pole use simpler, complying individuals the right to a decent broadband with new rules on quality of service, Ofcom’s investment support comes in connection, where connection costs and delivering on our commitment to a number of forms. The new regulatory do not exceed £3,400 or where the end a ‘balanced build’ across the UK. framework provides greater stability by customer agrees to pay any excess costs. virtue of having five-year market review That means at least a 10Mbps download periods instead of three and looking Government support for fibre speed and 1Mbps upload speed. As across all of the wholesale fixed telecoms designated universal service provider markets instead of considering business We continue to believe there is more the (alongside KCom in Hull), we’re upgrading and residential connectivity separately. Government could do to reduce the cost the network to reach more than 5,500 of building full fibre networks, for us and homes and businesses. On top of that, other providers. That would speed up another 400,000 premises can now get better broadband via a 4G wireless hub. BT Group plc Annual Report 2021 Strategic report 17
Getting decent broadband to hard-to- We’re faithful to Ofcom’s Fairness for Spectrum auction reach homes and businesses can be Customers commitments, and therefore, expensive. So we’ve introduced a cost- from 1 April 2021, this will receive Board- In March 2021, we bid successfully for sharing scheme that lets customers close level oversight from the BT Compliance extra 5G mobile spectrum in Ofcom’s to other premises club together and save Committee. auction in the 700MHz and 3.6GHz money on getting connected. bands, securing a total of 80MHz for You can find more about the BT Compliance £475m. Following the assignment phase However, it’s true that getting a good Committee on page 86. of the auction we secured our preferred connection is prohibitively costly for positions within the 700MHz and 3.6GHz some homes and businesses, and European Electronic bands and will rapidly bring the spectrum we don’t believe this will be fixed by Communications Code into use for provision of additional the broadband Universal Service coverage and capacity of 5G services. Obligation scheme. We’re committed In October 2020, Ofcom confirmed a to playing our part, alongside others package of new customer protections Ofcom has now consulted on its 2020s in industry, Ofcom and Government, based on new European Electronic spectrum management strategy. We’ve to finding new ways to get decent Communications Code (EECC) rule supported a number of its proposals, broadband to those hardest to reach. changes. Ofcom and Government have including the development of a spectrum given us until December 2021 to follow roadmap. We expect Ofcom will issue In October 2020, Ofcom opened an most of the rules, and until June and a number of consultations relating to investigation into the way BT quotes December 2022 for the remainder. This spectrum in the coming year, including excess costs to individual premises on a phased approach is mainly because of the future annual fees for 2100MHz licences shared infrastructure. The investigation impact of Covid-19 combined with the and the award of 26GHz spectrum. is ongoing. implementation efforts required. The rules should give customers Northern Ireland Public Sector Consumer fairness enhanced rights. For example, from Shared Network contract UK regulators rightly prioritise December 2021, all mobile devices must consumers’ interests. We support be sold unlocked. And from June 2022, In December 2020, Ofcom found that that. We want regulation which delivers before they order something, customers we failed to provide information to better outcomes for all customers, while will be able to get an easily readable telecommunications company eir, related providing support for those who are contract summary that allows comparison to Fibre on Demand on an ‘equivalence vulnerable. We’ve continued to work with to other providers and services. On top of inputs’ basis, compared with BT’s own Ofcom to show how we’re sticking to their of that, from December 2021, vulnerable downstream Enterprise business unit. Fairness for Customers commitments we customers with a specific need will get This related to the bidding process for a signed up to in June 2019. That includes: better access to the relevant information public sector fibre contract in Northern in a format they choose. Ireland in 2018. We cooperated with – supporting customers and helping and accepted Ofcom’s findings, settling We’re implementing these rules and them engage with the market with them to pay a fine of £6.3m. We have responded to Ofcom’s further have put measures in place to prevent – making sure services work like consultation on making it easier for this happening again. Ofcom recognised they should home customers to switch providers. that these errors weren’t deliberate and We support Ofcom’s proposals, which – making it quick and easy for customers that we took a number of steps to comply will benefit our home and business to switch communications providers with the regulatory obligations. Based on customers. Ofcom’s decision, we don’t believe this – ensuring everyone gets fair treatment. We agree with the EECC rules and what impacted the tender outcome of We’ve brought in protections voluntarily they’re trying to achieve. But some of the the contract in question. for customers who don’t take up a new rules are really complicated. An example deal at the end of their contract. BT of this is the rule on the customer’s ability Brexit broadband customers get a capped price to end any or all elements of bundled increase, and BT Halo customers keep services contracts for any non-beneficial Brexit has changed the UK’s relationship paying the same. change made to any element of that with the EU. We have been planning for bundle. Our systems need to be able to Brexit for a number of years and there EE mobile handset customers who’ve recognise Ofcom’s broad definition of has been no immediate impact from the been out of contract for more than three ‘linked contract’ across any combination Brexit trade deal on our operations and months get a price discount from then of our fixed and mobile services, and service offerings to our customers. We on. And when their broadband or mobile sometimes across brands, in order to continue to monitor the evolution of the contract is ending, we offer existing BT, offer customers this right. We’ll keep Brexit trade deal. We have teams working EE and Plusnet customers equivalently- working through business and systems on implementing changes needed to priced deals to new customers if they requirements to comply with this, while work seamlessly for our customers and choose to re-contract. simultaneously planning how to minimise with our partners in the EU to ensure our For customers we know are vulnerable, unintended consequences. services operate as normal. we’ve committed to regular account reviews to help them get the best deal for what they need. And we’re soon launching a new, easier to access tariff for financially vulnerable customers with wider eligibility. In 2020 we also completed upgrading around 700,000 customers from copper to superfast broadband at no extra cost.
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