Record growth for BT Cellnet

British Telecommunications PLC
8 January 2001


                   RECORD GROWTH PROPELS BT CELLNET TO MORE

                          THAN 10 MILLION CUSTOMERS



BT Cellnet, the UK's second largest mobile phone operator, today announced it
has achieved its most successful quarter's growth ever, beating the previous
record by 500,000. In the latest quarter, October-December 2000, BT Cellnet
announced overall net connections of 1,501,000 taking its total customer base
to 10.244 million in the UK.



Dave McGlade, Managing Director of BT Cellnet, commented:



'BT Cellnet has delivered record growth in a bouyant seasonal market. This is
evidence that our ability to predict and respond imaginatively to the buying
needs of the public has strengthened, as has our support for the 10.244
million customers who continue to enjoy the benefits of our services. BT
Cellnet's customer growth has been achieved in line with our commitment to
profitable business operations.'



BT Cellnet is the UK market leader for the sales of new mobile Internet
phones. At the end of 2000, more than one million BT Cellnet customers had
opted for WAP capable mobiles.



                                     ENDS

Notes to Editors:



BT Cellnet Quarterly Connection Figures - Quarterly totals


  BT Cellnet Quarterly Growth       Net Connections       Total Closing Base
Oct-Dec 2000                                 1,501,000               10,244,000
July-Sept 2000                                 669,000                8,743,000
Apr-June 2000                                  670,000                8,074,000
Jan-Mar 2000                                   457,000                7,404,000
Oct-Dec 1999                                 1,001,000                6,947,000



* BT Cellnet's closing base comprises 3.554 million post-pay customers and
6.690 million pre-pay customers.



For further information please contact:



BT Cellnet Press Office                                       01753 565656



Simon Matthews/Fiona Campbell

Fishburn Hedges                                                          020
7839 4321