BT Wireless - Change of Name

British Telecommunications PLC
3 September 2001



                      Not for distribution in the USA or Canada





                                                             September 3, 2001







                      BT WIRELESS TO ADOPT NEW BRAND, O2

       Mobile business takes customer focused direction with new brand

BT Wireless, the mobile business of BT, today announced that the new consumer
brand for the business will be O2. The holding company name will be changed to
mmO2 plc effective immediately and upon demerger from BT, planned for later
this year, the ordinary shares will be listed under this new name.

The operating units are expected to commence full migration to O2 for their
customer products and services in Spring 2002.



The new brand, O2, embodies the Company's ambition to provide essential,
lifestyle-enabling mobile services to its customers. The Company's strategy is
to create one customer brand across its European footprint. The Company
currently serves 16.1 million mobile customers in the UK, Germany, Ireland,
the Netherlands and the Isle of Man. Genie, its integrated web and mobile
portal, is one of the leading mobile internet businesses in Europe with 5.3
million registered accounts.

The unveiling of the new brand is an important milestone for the Company in
the demerger process. This move follows BT's announcement in May this year of
plans to create two separately quoted businesses.

The new brand, developed in conjunction with brand agency Lambie Nairn,
follows customer research and evaluation in each of the countries in which the
Company operates. The results of the research demonstrate that the brand is
recognisable and works internationally.

Peter Erskine, Chief Executive Officer of mmO2 plc, said: 'We have chosen a
brand identity that is modern and universal. We aim to build inseparable
relationships with our customers, by delivering exciting and practical
services they truly value. O2 symbolises commitment.'



Milestones in formation of mmO2 plc

10 May     BT announces plans to create two separate businesses.
2001

12 June    BT Wireless and T-Mobile International unveil plans to co-operate on
2001       roll out of 3G mobile netwoks in UK and Germany.

13 June    David Varney announced as Chairman of BT Wireless.
2001

26 June    David Finch appointed as Chief Finance Officer of BT Wireless.
2001

8 July     Andrew Sukawaty appointed as Deputy Chairman and Paul Myners
2001       appointed as Non-Executive Director of BT Wireless

9 July     BT Wireless reports 16.1m active customers and new benchmark for
2001       reporting subscribers.

3          Announcement of new trading name mmO2 plc and customer identity O2.
September
2001

Notes to Editors

mmO2 plc has 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). mmO2 plc also includes Genie, which is one
of Europe's leading mobile internet businesses.

mmO2 plc owns third generation licences to operate 3G mobile services in the
UK, Germany and the Netherlands - all territories where it has already
launched GPRS services. We expect 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 plc, 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 plc and British
Telecommunications plc in relation to the proposed demerger and no-one else
and will not be responsible to anyone other than mmO2 plc 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.

                            ---------------------
Inquiries about this news release should be made to BT Newsroom on the 24-hour
 number: 020 7356 5369 or Simon Gordon on 07710 070698. From outside the UK,
     dial [phone], or to Catriona Booth, Brunswick, 020 7404 5959.


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