Finance
UK's BT on track as broadband strengthens
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Summary
BT, the UK's largest broadband operator, reports a 4% revenue decline but stays on track to meet its annual financial targets.
BT Reports Improved Forecast as Broadband Demand Grows in the UK
BT's Financial Performance and Future Outlook
LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - BT, Britain's biggest broadband operator which also owns the EE mobile network, posted in-line quarterly results, and said its forecast for line losses this year had improved, putting it on track to meet its targets.
BT, which is in the final stages of building its Openreach fibre network across Britain, said on Thursday the network had now reached 21 million premises, and figures showed it was performing better than expected amid tough competition from rival networks such as Virgin Media O2 and CityFibre.
Openreach broadband line losses are now expected at 850,000 for the year, BT said, lower than previous guidance of 900,000, after recording 210,000 in the quarter, an improvement on the previous period.
Quarterly Results Overview
"With our transformation building momentum, we are delivering ahead of plan," CEO Allison Kirkby said in a statement.
Line Losses and Network Expansion
For the three months to the end of December, its third quarter, BT reported a 4% drop in revenue, driven by a drop in service revenue and weaker handset sales.
Adjusted earnings (EBITDA) of 2.1 billion pounds ($2.86 billion) fell 1%, in line with a consensus forecast, after lower revenue was offset by cost savings.
Future Cash Flow Projections
The group is confident of meeting guidance, it said, including a plan for our cash flow to reach 2 billion pounds next year and 3 billion pounds by the end of the decade.
($1 = 0.7343 pounds)
(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton and Paul Sandle)
Key Takeaways
- •BT reported a 4% fall in quarterly revenue.
- •The revenue decline was in line with forecasts.
- •BT remains on track to meet its annual targets.
- •BT is Britain's largest broadband operator.
- •BT owns the EE mobile network.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's BT on track as broadband strengthens
1What is quarterly revenue?
Quarterly revenue refers to the total income generated by a company during a specific three-month period. It is an important metric for assessing a company's financial performance over time.
2What is financial performance?
Financial performance is a measure of how well a company generates revenue and manages its expenses. It is often evaluated through metrics such as revenue, profit margins, and return on investment.
3What is a broadband operator?
A broadband operator is a company that provides internet access services to consumers and businesses. They typically offer various types of internet connections, including DSL, cable, and fiber-optic.
4What is the UK economy?
The UK economy refers to the economic system of the United Kingdom, characterized by a mix of private and public enterprise. It includes various sectors such as services, manufacturing, and agriculture.
