Changes

* BT Operate - responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of the IP based fixed-line network of BT, named 21C network

* BT Operate - responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of the IP based fixed-line network of BT, named 21C network

* BT Design - IT designers from their other divisions united together to design services on the 21C network

* BT Design - IT designers from their other divisions united together to design services on the 21C network

== History ==

== History ==

BT Group is probably the oldest telecommunications services company in the world, being founded in 1846 in the City of London, United Kingdom. The company appeared in 1846 as one of the first telecommunications companies in the United Kingdom, along with other important companies like the Electric Telegraph Company, the first commercial telegraphy services. Some of the telecommunications companies from that time were taken over, some collapsed, and the remaining companies were merged and renamed into British Telecommunications. Still, British Telecommunications was transfered under the Post Office, to state control. Between 1869 and 1969 the name British Telecommunications was not present under this name on the market, but under the General Post Office name in the first part of the period and in the second part of the period under the name Post Office Telecommunications.  

BT Group is probably the oldest telecommunications services company in the world, being founded in 1846 in the City of London, United Kingdom. The company appeared in 1846 as one of the first telecommunications companies in the United Kingdom, along with other important companies like the Electric Telegraph Company, the first commercial telegraphy services. Some of the telecommunications companies from that time were taken over, some collapsed, and the remaining companies were merged and renamed into British Telecommunications. Still, British Telecommunications was transferred under the Post Office, to state control. Between 1869 and 1969 the name British Telecommunications was not present under this name on the market, but under the General Post Office name in the first part of the period and in the second part of the period under the name Post Office Telecommunications.  

In 1980 a committee decided to rename the Post Office Telecommunications into British Telecom but it still remained part of the Post Office. In 1981 two separate corporations were formed, taking away the responsibility for the telecommunications services from the Post Office. In 1982 the British government decided to sell 51% of the shares of British Telecom to private investors, in a privatization attempt. The operation went through in 1984. By the end of that year, all of the shares auctioned were sold to private investors. In December 1991 the British Government reduced the shares they owned in British Telecom from 47.6% to 21.8%, selling the 26,8% of shares to interested investors. In July 1993 British Telecom gained another approximatively 750.000 new shareholders as the British Government sold the remaining shares it had for the sum of 5 billion British pounds.  

In 1980 a committee decided to rename the Post Office Telecommunications into British Telecom but it still remained part of the Post Office. In 1981 two separate corporations were formed, taking away the responsibility for the telecommunications services from the Post Office. In 1982 the British government decided to sell 51% of the shares of British Telecom to private investors, in a privatization attempt. The operation went through in 1984. By the end of that year, all of the shares auctioned were sold to private investors. In December 1991 the British Government reduced the shares they owned in British Telecom from 47.6% to 21.8%, selling the 26,8% of shares to interested investors. In July 1993 British Telecom gained approximately 750,000 new shareholders as the British Government sold the remaining shares it had for the sum of 5 billion British pounds.  

Ia new organizational structure, a new corporate identity and a new trading name were unveiled in April 1991. Thus, British Telecom became BT, the name it is know under today.  

Ia new organizational structure, a new corporate identity and a new trading name were unveiled in April 1991. Thus, British Telecom became BT, the name it is know under today.  

== Modern day operations and acquisitions ==

== Modern day operations and acquisitions ==

 

In 2005, BT bought Albacom, the second largest telecommunication services provider on the Italian market. The same year they also bought Radianz, a financial services extranet provider, from Reuters and a Californian telecommunications company named El Segundo.  

In 2005, BT bought Albacom, the second largest telecommunication services provider on the Italian market. The same year they also bought Radianz, a financial services extranet provider, from Reuters. Another acquisition made in 2005 was a Californian telecommunications company named El Segundo.  

In 2006, BT bought Dabs.com, an on-line electrical retailer. Later that year they announced that BT will be investing 7.5 billion British pounds (75% of their total capital spendings for the next five years) in their 21 CN project. BT expects to save 1 billion British pounds yearly after the transition to the new network is complete.  

In 2006, BT bought Dabs.com, an on-line electrical retailer. Later that year they announced that BT will be investing 7.5 billion British pounds (75% of their total capital spendings for the next five years) in their 21 CN project. BT expects to save 1 billion British pounds yearly after the transition to the new network is complete.  

In 2008, BT bought Wire One Communications, making them worldwide leaders in video conferencing solutions. The same year they bought a company from Mountain View, California named Ribbit.  

In 2008, BT bought Wire One Communications, making them worldwide leaders in video conferencing solutions. The same year they bought a company from Mountain View, California named Ribbit.  

In May 2009, BT announced they have to cut 15.000 jobs after a poor previous financial year.  

In May 2009, BT announced they have to cut 15,000 jobs after a poor previous financial year.  

 

== Joint ventures ==

== Joint ventures ==