Our relationship with HM Government

The UK Government, collectively, is our largest customer, but the provision of services to any one of its departments or agencies does not comprise a material proportion of our revenue. Except as described below, the commercial relationship between BT as a supplier and the UK Government as a customer has been on a normal customer and supplier basis.
     We can, however, be required by law to do certain things and provide certain services for the UK Government. General conditions made under the Communications Act require all providers of public telephone networks and/or publicly available telephone services, including BT, at the request of and in consultation with the authorities, to make, and if necessary implement, plans for the provision or restoration of services in connection with disasters. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 contains provisions enabling obligations to be imposed on providers of public electronic communications networks, including BT, in connection with civil contingency planning. In addition, the Secretary of State has statutory powers to require us to take certain actions in the interest of national security and international relations.