Acquisition

BT Group PLC
16 September 2004


16 September 2004

BT AGREES TO BUY B.I.C. SYSTEMS GROUP LTD TO PROVIDE UNIQUE IT AND NETWORKING
SERVICES

BT through its business in Northern Ireland has agreed to buy B.I.C. Systems
Group Ltd for a cash consideration of £17 million.
This will accelerate BT to the forefront of the IT and networking services
sector in Northern Ireland two years ahead of schedule in its planned five year
strategic programme.

Describing the purchase as 'one of the most exciting developments in the IT
space in years', Bill Murphy, Managing Director, BT Regions heralded the move as
being good for Northern Ireland, good for BT and good for B.I.C. Systems Group
Ltd.

"This is a unique and exciting development for both companies, " he said.
"I believe the acquisition will create a company of incomparable experience at
a time when Northern Ireland's IT future looks bright and when IT skills have
never been more essential."

"The joint capabilities of both organisations will offer exciting opportunities
for business and operations throughout the island both for the public and
private sectors."

"We are delighted to be joining with a company as innovative as B.I.C. Systems
Group Ltd. This is a company which, guided by Ed Vernon and his colleagues, has
become one of the most significant players in the IT market place."

"We believe that our joint expertise will lift the level of ICT services
provision in Northern Ireland to new heights and together we can provide unique
solutions at exceptional value for money for both the public and private
sectors."

Ed Vernon, chief executive of B.I.C. Systems Ltd said, "This is a great
development for us and for Northern Ireland."

"The international IT market place is a tough and competitive environment. In
agreeing to sell to BT we will create a new ICT company capable of delivering
real shareholder value and excellent and innovative products and services to our
customers."

"BT Northern Ireland brings superb skills and expertise to this combination.
Together we will raise the ICT level in Northern Ireland and that can only be
good for the public and private sectors."

Alastair Hamilton, director of BT Business at BT Northern Ireland said, "I'm
very excited about the potential arising from these synergies and look forward
to delivering on these to the public and private sectors here in Northern
Ireland and further afield. We are very much on track in our stated aim of
offering outstanding IT and networking services."

Neither brand will change. Both B.I.C.Systems Group Ltd and the BT brands are
well recognised, well established in the marketplace and each holds value in
its own right. Both brands will be enhanced through association with each other
and by capitalising on the individual and distinct strengths of each.
BT directly employs almost 3,000 people in Northern Ireland. There will be no
job losses. This acquisition is further evidence of BT's commitment to Northern
Ireland. It also means that local businesses and public sector organisations
will now have a local company with the skills and capability to deliver
sustainable and effective end-to-end solutions. This acquisition (which is
conditional on regulatory approval) will create a formidable ICT force with a
depth of capability which will add to the attraction of Northern Ireland as a
location in which to do business.

Ends

For further information contact Marnie O'Neill at BT Northern Ireland on 028
9021 4237 or Joanne Armstrong at DCL Public Relations on 028 9033 9949


Notes to editors

BT has agreed to buy 100 per cent of the issued share capital of B.I.C.Systems
Group Ltd.

BT and B.I.C Systems Group Ltd will continue to operate out of both premises.
Both organisations are extremely successful in their own right so there will be
no major changes immediately. There are opportunities to bring the teams closer
together and to explore how to best position the delivery of even better value
and service to customers.

BT and B.I.C Systems Group Ltd have already worked together on a number of
projects for Northern Ireland customers e.g. Enterprise Northern Ireland and
these projects will continue as established.

BT Group plc is the holding company for an integrated group of communications
businesses and is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. British
Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and
encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions serving
customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities
include network centric Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
solutions, local, national and international telecommunications services, and
higher-value broadband and internet products and services.

BT consists principally of three lines of business:

   • BT Retail, providing fixed and mobile communications services and
    solutions to over 20 million business and residential customers in the UK.
    It is also a leading UK internet services provider.
   • BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK to
    more than 600 fixed and mobile operators and service providers including the
    provision of broadband, private circuits and PSTN.
   • BT Global Services, providing ICT services internationally to meet the
    needs of multi-site organisations with European operations. BT Global
    Services operates in 136 countries and also offers international carrier
    services.

In the year ended 31 March 2004, BT Group's turnover was £18,519 million with
profit before goodwill amortisation, exceptional items and taxation of £2,013
million.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com




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