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Certain
statements in this annual report are forward-looking and are made
in reliance on the safe harbour provisions of the US Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to analyses
and other information which are based on forecasts of future results
and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements
include, without limitation, those concerning: BTs transformation
strategy and its ability to achieve it; expected cost savings; growth
of, and opportunities available in, the communications industry
and BTs positioning to take advantage of those opportunities;
expectations regarding competition, market shares, prices and growth;
expectations regarding the convergence of technologies; growth and
opportunities in new wave business (such as networked IT services,
broadband and mobility); BTs network development and plans
for the 21st century network; plans for the launch of new products
and services; network performance and quality; the impact of regulatory
initiatives on operations, including the regulation of the UK fixed
wholesale and retail businesses and the impact of the Undertakings
to Ofcom under the Enterprise Act; BTs possible or assumed
future results of operations and/or those of its associates and
joint ventures; BTs future dividend policy; capital expenditure
and investment plans; adequacy of capital; financing plans; demand
for and access to broadband and the promotion of broadband by third-party
service providers; and those preceded by, followed by, or that include
the words aims, believes, expects,
anticipates, intends, will,
should or similar expressions. Although
BT believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations
will prove to have been correct. Because these statements involve
risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Factors
that could cause differences between actual results and those implied
by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
material adverse changes in economic conditions in the markets served
by BT and its lines of business; future regulatory actions and conditions
in its operating areas, including competition from others; selection
by BT and its lines of business of the appropriate trading and marketing
models for its products and services; technological innovations,
including the cost of developing new products, networks and solutions
and the need to increase expenditures for improving the quality
of service; the anticipated benefits and advantages of new technologies,
products and services, including broadband and other new wave initiatives
not being realised; developments in the convergence of technologies;
prolonged adverse weather conditions resulting in a material increase
in overtime, staff or other costs; the timing of entry and profitability
of BT and its lines of business in certain communications markets;
significant changes in market shares for BT and its principal products
and services; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and
interest rates; and general financial market conditions affecting
BTs performance. Certain of these factors are discussed in
more detail elsewhere in this annual report including, without limitation,
in Group risk
factors. BT undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
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