Appointment

British Telecommunications PLC
5 September 2001





September 5, 2001


      mmO2 STRENGTHENS ITS BOARD WITH FURTHER NON EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

mmO2, the mobile business of BT, today announced the appointment of two new
non-executive directors to its Board. Neelie Kroes was appointed on August 31
and Stephen Hodge will take his seat with effect from October 1, 2001.

They will join David Varney, Chairman, Peter Erskine, Chief Executive Officer
and David Finch, Chief Financial Officer on the Board, along with the other
non-executive directors Paul Myners and Deputy Chairman Andrew Sukawaty.

Neelie Kroes, 60, is an experienced stateswoman who has built an impressive
political career. At the age of 36 she became Secretary of State for Transport
and Public Works in The Netherlands and served two periods as a Cabinet
Minister. During these years she handled the privatisation of the Dutch PTT,
which became the example for privatisation of state owned activities in The
Netherlands. She has written papers and conducted several studies for the
European Commission on regulatory affairs, employment and economic issues.
Neelie currently holds other non-executive board positions with a number of
national and international companies.



Stephen Hodge, 59, is currently Director of Finance of the Royal Dutch/ Shell
Group where he is responsible for all the financial and investor relations
issues for the Group and its Parent Companies. Stephen retires from Shell on
September 30 after more than 25 years with the Group. He has an extensive
knowledge of the financial management of international companies, having
worked throughout the world including Australia, The Netherlands, Venezuela,
and Argentina in a variety of financial positions. Stephen will chair the mmO2
audit committee.



David Varney, recently appointed Chairman-designate of mmO2 said: 'We are very
pleased that Neelie and Stephen are joining the mmO2 board. The breadth of
their experience will contribute significantly to the development of mmO2 and
demonstrates the pan European nature of our company.'



Notes to Editors

Following its planned demerger from BT, mmO2 will have wholly owned operations
in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (VIAG Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort),
the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and
will also include Genie, which is one of Europe's leading mobile internet
businesses.



Following its planned demerger from BT, mmO2 will own third generation
licences to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands
- all territories where its operating companies have already launched GPRS
services. mmO2 expects to apply for a 3G licence in Ireland when the
application process commences.

mmO2 plc applies to the holding company and O2 will be the brand of the
customer facing businesses of mmO2 plc.

This press announcement, which has been prepared by and is the sole
responsibility of mmO2 limited, has been approved solely for the purposes of
section 57 of the Financial Services Act 1986 by Merrill Lynch International,
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and Salomon Brothers International
Limited which are regulated in the UK by The Securities and Futures Authority
Limited.

Merrill Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and
Salomon Brothers International Limited are advising mmO2 limited and British
Telecommunications plc in relation to the proposed demerger and no-one else
and will not be responsible to anyone other than mmO2 limited and British
Telecommunications plc for providing the protections afforded to the customers
of Merrill Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and
Salomon Brothers International Limited in relation to the proposed demerger.

This announcement does not constitute, or form part of an offer, or
solicitation of an offer, to purchase or subscribe securities.





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 Inquiries about this news release should be made to BT Group Newsroom on the
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK, dial [phone], or to
                    Fiona Fong, Brunswick, 020 7404 5959.


 More information about the company can be accessed at the website www.02.com