Changes

== 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 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.  

BT Group is probably the oldest telecommunications services company in the world, founded in 1846 in London. The company was created alongside 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 to state control, and placed under the supervison of the Post Office. Between 1869 and 1969 the name British Telecommunications was not present on the market; it was first under the General Post Office name, and in the second part of that period it was known as 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 approximately 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 as 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.  

Given its 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 still uses today.  

In 2003, BT showed off new brand values and a new corporate identity. These new characteristics have been kept until current days.

In 2003, BT showed off new brand values and a new corporate identity. These new symbols are still being used today.  

 

In 2004, BT launched Consult 21, an organization with the role of offering ideas for thei 21st Century Network project (21CN). The 21 CN project implies an Internet Protocol based network which allows people to communicate over different gadgets, including home phone to personal computer communication.  

== Modern day operations and acquisitions ==

== Modern day operations and acquisitions ==