This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36210097

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BT profits boosted by broadband and TV BT to invest £6bn in faster broadband and mobile services
(35 minutes later)
BT has reported a 15% rise in annual profits to £3.03bn, helped by stronger demand for broadband and TV services. BT Group has outlined plans to invest £6bn over the next three years in faster broadband and mobile services.
The company also announced that it will spend £6bn over the next three years to roll out faster broadband and mobile phone services. It plans to offer what it describes as "ultrafast" broadband to 12 million premises by 2020.
The company also reported a 15% rise in annual profits to £3.03bn, helped by stronger demand for broadband and TV services.
Total sales rose 6% to almost £19bn, which includes £1.06bn contribution from mobile operator EE.Total sales rose 6% to almost £19bn, which includes £1.06bn contribution from mobile operator EE.
The deal to buy EE was cleared in January and BT said the integration of EE was "going well". Faster broadband
"We now see the opportunity to deliver more synergies than we originally expected, and at a lower cost," said chief executive Gavin Patterson. Under the investment plan, a minimum of 10 million homes and businesses will receive access to BT's ultrafast broadband service, and the company has an "ambition" to reach 12 million.
Most will receive that via BT's G.fast technology, which is currently capable of speeds of 300Mbps (megabits-per-second), but will be capable of speeds of up to 500Mbps, BT says.
On average UK households received speeds of 29Mbps last year, according to regulator Ofcom.
That would make the new service more than enough for households who want fast broadband to stream movies and play online games.
"Customers want their broadband to be affordable as well as fast and we will be able to do that using G.fast," said BT chief executive Gavin Patterson.
The company also plans to hire 1,000 new engineers this year as part of an effort to improve customer service.
BT will continue to return customer services to the UK and by March 2017 says it will handle 90% of calls by UK-based staff.
Sports impactSports impact
BT's results were boosted by a strong year for BT Consumer, which supplies broadband, telephone and TV services. Sales were up 7% at £4.6bn for the year. BT's results were boosted by a strong year for BT Consumer, which supplies broadband, telephone and TV services. Sales were up 7% to £4.6bn for the year.
The number of customers for its TV service jumped by 28% to 1.5 million.The number of customers for its TV service jumped by 28% to 1.5 million.
BT said audiences for its sports coverage - where it has made massive investment - were up 45%, which it attributed to its live coverage of Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.BT said audiences for its sports coverage - where it has made massive investment - were up 45%, which it attributed to its live coverage of Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.
BT also shares coverage of the FA Cup with the BBC and has a package of Premier League matches.BT also shares coverage of the FA Cup with the BBC and has a package of Premier League matches.
Faster broadband The deal to buy the EE mobile network was cleared in January and BT said the integration of EE was "going well".
The company also detailed its investment plans for the next three years. "We now see the opportunity to deliver more synergies than we originally expected, and at a lower cost," said Mr Patterson.
It will offer what it describes as "ultrafast" broadband to 12 million premises by 2020, an acceleration of its previous plan.
Most consumers will receive the improved service via BT's G.fast technology, which is currently capable of speeds of 300Mbps (megabits-per-second), but will be capable of speeds of up to 500Mbps, BT says.
That is more than enough for households that want fast broadband to stream movies and play online games.
On average UK households received speeds of 29Mbps last year, according to regulator Ofcom.
"Customers want their broadband to be affordable as well as fast and we will be able to do that using G.fast," said Mr Patterson.
The company also plans to hire 1,000 new engineers this year as part of an effort to improve customer service.
BT will continue to return customer services to the UK and by March 2017 says it will handle 90% of calls by UK based staff.