Editing BT Group (section)

=== 2013 to 2020 ===
[[File:BT logo.svg|thumb|BT logo used from 2003 to 2019]]
In March 2013, BT was allocated [[4G]] spectrum in the UK following an auction and assignment by Ofcom, after paying £201.5m.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-awards/awards-archive/completed-awards/800mhz-2.6ghz/|title=800 MHz & 2.6&nbsp;GHz Combined Award|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411175017/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-awards/awards-archive/completed-awards/800mhz-2.6ghz/|archive-date=11 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 August 2013, BT launched its first television channels, [[BT Sport]], to compete with rival broadcaster [[Sky Sports]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23527897 |title=BT launches sports TV channels in battle with Sky |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801170112/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23527897 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Plans for the channels' launch came about when it was announced in June 2012 that BT had been awarded a package of broadcast rights for the [[Premier League]] from the 2013–14 to 2015–16 season, broadcasting 38 matches from each season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036|title=Premier League rights sold to BT and BSkyB for £3bn|work=BBC News|date=13 June 2012|access-date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809041029/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18430036|archive-date=9 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2013, BT acquired [[ESPN Inc.]]'s UK and Ireland TV channels, continuing its expansion into sports broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/25/espn-bt-vision|title=BT buys ESPN'S UK and Ireland TV channels|work=The Guardian|date=25 February 2013|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023081226/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/25/espn-bt-vision|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[ESPN America]] and [[ESPN Classic (UK)|ESPN Classic]] were both closed, while [[ESPN (UK)|ESPN]] continued to be operated by BT. On 9 November 2013, BT announced it had acquired exclusive rights to the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and [[Europa League]] for £897m, from the 2015 season, with some free games remaining including both finals.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24879138 Champions League: BT Sport wins £897m football rights deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123001540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24879138 |date=23 November 2013 }}. BBC Sport (9 November 2013). Retrieved 9 December 2013.</ref>

On 1 November 2014, BT created a new central business services organisation to provide customer services and improve operational efficiency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.btplc.com/BTToday/NewsList/AnewcentralbusinessservicesmodelforBT/index.htm |title=BT has created a new central business services (CBS) organization to deliver superior customer service and maximize efficiency and effectiveness. |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021120931/https://www.btplc.com/BTToday/NewsList/AnewcentralbusinessservicesmodelforBT/index.htm |archive-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 November 2014, shares in BT rose considerably on the announcement that the company was in talks to buy back [[O2 (UK)|O2]], while at the same time confirmed it was also in talks to acquire [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodley |first1=Simon |last2=Farrell |first2=Sean |title=BT in talks with Telefónica to buy O2 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/24/bt-o2-talks-buy-back |access-date=25 November 2014 |work=The Guardian |date=25 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125003122/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/24/bt-o2-talks-buy-back |archive-date=25 November 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> BT subsequently entered into exclusive talks to buy EE for £12.5&nbsp;billion on 15 December 2014<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Christopher |title=BT in exclusive talks to buy EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11294252/BT-agrees-to-buy-EE-for-12.5bn.html |access-date=15 December 2014 |work=The Telegraph |date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215180539/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/11294252/BT-agrees-to-buy-EE-for-12.5bn.html |archive-date=15 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BT in talks to buy EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30487285 |access-date=15 December 2014 |work=BBC News |date=15 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215172620/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30487285 |archive-date=15 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and confirmed on 5 February 2015, subject to regulatory approval. The deal combined BT's 10 million retail customers and EE's 24.5&nbsp;million direct mobile subscribers. [[Deutsche Telekom]] would own 12% of BT, while [[Orange S.A.]] would own 4%.<ref>{{cite news |title=BT to buy mobile firm EE for £12.5bn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31144009 |access-date=5 February 2015 |work=BBC News |date=5 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205075019/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-31144009 |archive-date=5 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2015, BT launched a 4G service as [[BT Mobile]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/25/bt-mobile-ee/|title=BT Confirms New BT Mobile 4G Service on EE's Network|first=Ingrid|last=Lunden|date=25 March 2015 |access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226162600/https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/25/bt-mobile-ee/|archive-date=26 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> BT Group CEO [[Gavin Patterson]] announced that BT plans to migrate all of its customers onto the IP network by 2025, switching off the company's [[ISDN]] network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://e-callconnect.co.uk/bt-plans-to-switch-off-isdn-network-by-2025/ |title=BT plans to switch off ISDN network by 2025 |publisher=eCall |date=27 June 2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903212234/http://e-callconnect.co.uk/bt-plans-to-switch-off-isdn-network-by-2025/ |archive-date=3 September 2015  }}</ref>

On 15 January 2016, BT received approval by the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] to acquire [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BT takeover of EE gets final Competition and Markets Authority clearance |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35320831 |access-date=15 January 2016 |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115074625/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35320831 |archive-date=15 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal was officially completed on 29 January 2016 with [[Deutsche Telekom]] then owning 12% of BT, while [[Orange S.A.]] owned 4%.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT Group PLC Completion of the acquisition of EE Limited|url=http://www.4-traders.com/BT-GROUP-PLC-4003616/news/BT-Group-PLC-Completion-of-the-acquisition-of-EE-Limited-21767295/|access-date=29 January 2016|work=4-traders|date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130092602/http://www.4-traders.com/BT-GROUP-PLC-4003616/news/BT-Group-PLC-Completion-of-the-acquisition-of-EE-Limited-21767295/|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 February 2016, BT announced a new organisational structure to take effect from April 2016 after acquiring [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]]. The EE brand, network and high street stores became a second consumer division, operating alongside [[BT Consumer]] to serve customers with mobile services, broadband and TV and  continued to deliver the Emergency Services Network contract awarded to EE in late 2015. There was to be a new BT Business and Public Sector division with around £5bn of revenues to serve small and large businesses as well as the public sector in the UK and Ireland. It was to comprise the existing [[BT Business]] division along with EE's business division and those parts of [[BT Global Services]] that are UK focused. There will also be another new division; BT Wholesale and Ventures that will comprise the existing [[BT Wholesale]] division along with EE's [[MVNO]] business as well as some specialist businesses such as Fleet, Payphones and Directories. Gerry McQuade, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Business at EE, was to be its CEO.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT announces new structure|url=http://www.btplc.com/news/#/pressreleases/bt-announces-new-structure-1304769|access-date=1 February 2016|work=BT News|publisher=BT Group PLC|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131082054/http://www.btplc.com/news/#/pressreleases/bt-announces-new-structure-1304769|archive-date=31 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BT reports a 24% jump in quarterly profits amid revamp|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35457574|access-date=1 February 2016|work=BBC News|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201113742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35457574|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Kate|title=BT unveils management overhaul as it reports 'seven-year high' in revenue growth|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12133217/BT-unveils-new-structure-as-it-posts-best-revenue-growth-in-seven-years.html|access-date=1 February 2016|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201100906/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12133217/BT-unveils-new-structure-as-it-posts-best-revenue-growth-in-seven-years.html|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The June [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]] set off the Brexit process.

On 8 June 2017, BT appointed [[KPMG]] as its new auditor to replace [[PwC]] in the wake of a fraud scandal in Italy that triggered a major profit warning earlier that year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christopher|first1=Williams|title=BT appoints KPMG as auditor as PwC is ousted after 33 years in wake of Italian scandal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/06/08/bt-appoints-kpmg-auditor-pwc-ousted-33-years-wake-italian-scandal/|access-date=10 June 2017|work=The Telegraph|date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610113401/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/06/08/bt-appoints-kpmg-auditor-pwc-ousted-33-years-wake-italian-scandal/|archive-date=10 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in of that year, KPMG fired six US employees over a scandal that calls into question efforts to ensure that public company accounts are being properly scrutinised.<ref>[[Financial Times]], "KPMG scandal highlights problem of auditing's revolving door", 2017/04/13</ref>

On 8 July 2017, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that BT "has called in consultants from [[McKinsey]] to conduct a review of its businesses in the hope of saving hundreds of millions of pounds per year. The work, dubbed 'Project Novator', is understood to include a potential merger of BT's struggling global services corporate networking and IT unit with its business and public sector division".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/07/08/bt-seeks-stem-slump-overhaul/|title=BT seeks to stem slump with overhaul|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=8 July 2017|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224010019/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/07/08/bt-seeks-stem-slump-overhaul/|archive-date=24 December 2018|url-status=live|last1=Williams|first1=Christopher}}</ref> On 28 July 2017, BT again announced organisational changes to "simplify its operating model, strengthen accountabilities and accelerate its transformation" to bring together its [[BT Consumer]] and [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] divisions into a new unified BT Consumer division to operate across three brands – BT, [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] and [[Plusnet]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=English|first1=Simon|title=BT hints at its next boss in shake-up of consumer arm|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bt-hints-at-its-next-boss-in-shakeup-of-consumer-arm-a3598541.html|access-date=24 November 2017|work=London Evening Standard|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035956/https://www.standard.co.uk/business/bt-hints-at-its-next-boss-in-shakeup-of-consumer-arm-a3598541.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Organisation and senior management changes at BT|url=http://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/organisation-and-senior-management-changes-at-bt-2086252|access-date=24 November 2017|work=BT News & Media|publisher=BT Group PLC|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119133236/http://btplc.com/News/index.htm#/pressreleases/organisation-and-senior-management-changes-at-bt-2086252|archive-date=19 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gwynn|first1=Simon|title=BT brings EE and Consumer under combined leadership|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-brings-ee-consumer-combined-leadership/1440724|access-date=24 November 2017|work=Campaign|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040414/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bt-brings-ee-consumer-combined-leadership/1440724|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hoscik|first1=Martin|title=BT brings EE, Plusnet and BT brands into a new unified consumer division|url=http://www.seenit.co.uk/bt-brings-ee-plusnet-and-bt-brands-into-a-new-unified-consumer-division/|access-date=24 November 2017|work=SEENIT|date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035604/http://www.seenit.co.uk/bt-brings-ee-plusnet-and-bt-brands-into-a-new-unified-consumer-division/|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It was to take effect from 1 April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consumer|url=https://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/Ourcompany/Groupbusinesses/btconsumer/index.htm|website=BT Group|access-date=24 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122163257/http://www.btplc.com/Thegroup/Ourcompany/Groupbusinesses/btconsumer/index.htm|archive-date=22 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 April 2018, BT announced further organisational changes after unification of BT Consumer and EE divisions, bringing together its [[BT Business and Public Sector]] and [[BT Wholesale and Ventures]] divisions into a new unified division known as ''BT Enterprise''. It was to include BT's Ventures business which "acts as an incubator for potential new growth areas of the company" and to report as a single unit from 1 October 2018.<ref>{{cite news|title=BT forms new business unit BT Enterprise|url=https://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/bt-forms-new-business-unit-bt-enterprise-2480484|access-date=24 April 2018|work=BT Group|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425031939/https://www.btplc.com/news/index.htm#/pressreleases/bt-forms-new-business-unit-bt-enterprise-2480484|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Torrance|first1=Jack|title=BT business boss departs in latest shake-up|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/18/bt-business-boss-departs-latest-shake-up/|access-date=24 April 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423190353/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/18/bt-business-boss-departs-latest-shake-up/|archive-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McCaskill|first1=Steve|title=BT Enterprise combines Business and Wholesale divisions|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/bt-enterprise-combines-business-and-wholesale-divisions|access-date=24 April 2018|work=TechRadar|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032242/https://www.techradar.com/news/bt-enterprise-combines-business-and-wholesale-divisions|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Holly|title=BT overhaul continues with merger of enterprise divisions|url=https://www.insider.co.uk/news/bt-overhaul-continues-merger-enterprise-12383734|access-date=24 April 2018|work=Business Insider|date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114640/https://www.insider.co.uk/news/bt-overhaul-continues-merger-enterprise-12383734|archive-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>