BT Company Sign

UK telecom giant BT has reported rises in profits, thanks to cost-cutting and an increase in its broadband service users.

Pre-tax profits for the three months to the end of December were £652 m, 48% higher than a year earlier. Revenue fell 5% to £4.77 bn.

Profits are reported to have increased around 18%.

The company said it has expanded the availability of its fibre optic broadband to 7 million homes and signed 95,000 customers to its service.

"We have delivered another quarter of growth in profits and cash flow despite the economic head-winds" Chief Executive Ian Livingston commented. He went on to add: "In the UK, our fibre roll-out has accelerated bringing super-fast broadband within reach of over seven million homes and businesses and we remain the number one broadband retailer with over six million customers".

The company said labour costs fell by 3% while payments to telecommunications operators fell 15% due to lower call volumes.

Friday February 3^rd 2012
The Onlines