sunday tribune logo
 
go button spacer This Issue spacer spacer Archive spacer

In This Issue title image
spacer
News   spacer
spacer
spacer
Sport   spacer
spacer
spacer
Business   spacer
spacer
spacer
Property   spacer
spacer
spacer
Tribune Review   spacer
spacer
spacer
Tribune Magazine   spacer
spacer

 

spacer
Tribune Archive
spacer

BT's �?�1.5bn five-year plan for Ireland
Nic Fildes



BT'S IAN LIVINGSTON aims to grow the company's operation in Ireland into a billionpound business under the nose of his predecessor, Pierre Danon, who is now executive chairman of Eircom.

Livingston, previously finance director of BT, took over as head of BT Retail in February 2005 after the French executive left BT for IT services company Capgemini.

At that stage BT Retail was struggling to offset the impact of rapidly declining residential voice prices and was bracing itself for increased competition in the broadband and directories markets. Yet the mood is entirely different nearly two years on, after Livingston raised profit guidance for the retail unit. Earnings should grow around three times the rate that analysts expected at the start of the year and are expected to continue to grow next year.

"BT Retail has turned itself around and is set for future profit growth, " Livingston said.

The company is targeting growth in Ireland and expects to derive £1bn ( 1.5bn) in revenue from Ireland within five years.

BT Retail is the dominant operator in Northern Ireland and is keenly competing in the Republic. It derives around £700m a year in revenue from the island.

Danny McLaughlin, head of the Irish unit, said the market in the Republic was "underdeveloped and under-served" and that out-of-date regulation of the telecoms market has stifled broadband growth.

He said BT is winning around 35% of new broadband customers in the Republic.

Livingston added that BT is targeting 30% growth in its business services unit despite competition from rivals like Carphone Warehouse that offer small businesses free broadband.

Bob Murphy, head of BT's business unit, said: "Businesses understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch."




Back To Top >>


spacer

 

         
spacer
contact icon Contact
spacer spacer
home icon Home
spacer spacer
search icon Search


advertisment




 

   
  Contact Us spacer Terms & Conditions spacer Copyright Notice spacer 2007 Archive spacer 2006 Archive