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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: BT’s transformation strategy and its ability to achieve it; expected cost savings; growth of, and opportunities available in, the communications industry and BT’s 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); BT’s 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; BT’s possible or assumed future results of operations and/or those of its associates
and joint ventures; BT’s 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 BT’s
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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