BT’s Irish revenue up 5%

BT’s Irish operations grew revenue by 5%, on a year-on-year basis, in the group’s third quarter, covering the three months to the end of December.

On a group-wide basis, BT — formerly British Telecom — saw a 6% annualised fall in revenue, to £4.51 billion (€5.23bn); but a 2% rise in EBITDA to nearly £1.55bn and a 7% increase in pre-tax profit to £675m. Earnings per share, for the quarter, were up by 8% on the same period the previous year to 6.6p.

Group chief executive, Ian Livingston, said the figures were in line with management expectations.

BT has, in recent years, grown into a diversified communications firm covering not just telecommunications but also broadband and internet services and networked IT services; serving customers in more than 170 countries.

The 5% revenue growth, for the third quarter, at BT Ireland, excluded the impact of foreign exchange movements, but growth was seen in all areas.

The third quarter growth also shows continuation of BT Ireland’s strong recent performance record. The company has already seen a 3% year-on-year increase in first half revenues, covering the six months to the end of September.