Ahmed Sherif
Research expert covering IT services and gaming hardware
BT Group - statistics & facts
The BT Group, formerly known as British Telecom, has grown into a formidable global telecommunications powerhouse, spanning its storied origins as the Electric Telegraph Company to its current global reach. As one of the world's leading communications service providers, BT caters to customers in around 180 countries. BT is also the United Kingdom's largest fixed-voice and broadband provider, alongside its TV and mobile services. BT consists of four main business lines: Consumer, Enterprise, Global Services, and Open reach.
When it comes to BT's lines of business, BT’s consumer segment yields the highest revenue share, with Business and Open reach trailing behind, respectively. BT is not the only telecommunications provider to see a decline in average revenue figures, due to the falling prices of telecommunications services for consumers and general structural shifts within the business, such as moves to cheaper mobile communications.
In terms of fixed-line call volumes, BT also leads the way with around 12.3 billion call minutes in 2022, with its closest competition, Virgin Media, at 3.3 billion minutes. Nonetheless, fixed-line call volumes have decreased with the rise of messaging and call services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. This decline continued after a brief increase in 2020, possibly due to an increase in people conducting business from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, BT Group continues to hold a strong position in the market despite facing challenges in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry, providing a positive outlook for its future endeavors.
Evolution of telecommunications industry impacts revenue trends
The quarterly revenue of BT has generally declined since reaching a peak of 6.17 billion British pounds in the third quarter of FY 2016, down to 5.34 billion British Pounds in the third quarter of FY 2024. The monthly average revenue per user follows a similar pattern, standing at approximately 34.4 British pounds for fixed-line users in the fourth quarter of FY 2023.When it comes to BT's lines of business, BT’s consumer segment yields the highest revenue share, with Business and Open reach trailing behind, respectively. BT is not the only telecommunications provider to see a decline in average revenue figures, due to the falling prices of telecommunications services for consumers and general structural shifts within the business, such as moves to cheaper mobile communications.
BT remains a powerful force in the market
BT holds the highest market share of fixed broadband in the UK, with a total of 33 percent of all fixed broadband subscribers in 2022. Since 2007, BT has managed to increase its market share by nearly six percentage points. It also stands out by being the most used internet provider in the UK, with quarter of the market share as of 2023.In terms of fixed-line call volumes, BT also leads the way with around 12.3 billion call minutes in 2022, with its closest competition, Virgin Media, at 3.3 billion minutes. Nonetheless, fixed-line call volumes have decreased with the rise of messaging and call services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. This decline continued after a brief increase in 2020, possibly due to an increase in people conducting business from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, BT Group continues to hold a strong position in the market despite facing challenges in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry, providing a positive outlook for its future endeavors.
