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Amazon partnership increases TV choice

22 June 2018

Amazon partnership increases TV choice

We've partnered with Amazon to be the first major UK pay-TV provider to offer Amazon Prime Video via our set-top box.

Ultrafast promises boost to Northern Ireland

21 June 2018

Ultrafast promises boost to Northern Ireland

Every £1 spent on ultrafast fibre broadband in rural Northern Ireland could bring £8 in benefits over 15 years.

Gavin's praise for tech literacy achievement

21 June 2018

Gavin's praise for tech literacy achievement

Gavin Patterson has hailed the “tremendous achievement” of our campaign to help children in the West Midlands become more tech literate.

Walkers reach near gigabit speeds

19 June 2018

Walkers reach near gigabit speeds

Openreach's Community Fibre Partnership scheme has brought ultrafast broadband to residents and visitors of a Welsh beauty spot.

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Rising above London's bustling streets, it's half a century since BT Tower officially opened for operations. Built from 13,000 tonnes of steel and 4,600 square metres of glass, it stands 189 metres tall.

Prime Minister Harold Wilson opened the tower on 8 October 1965 in the presence of former PM Clement Attlee. Staff suggested Pointer, Spindle, Telebeacon and other possible names but it was called the Post Office Tower when it opened.

Building began in 1961 but a survey revealed a problem. The hard chalk capable of supporting the tower was 53 metres beneath unstable London clay. An Italian company solved this by laying a raft of reinforced concrete on top.

Built to support microwave links for rapidly-expanding communications traffic, the tower was connected to a switching control centre next door where regional TV programmes transmitted through the tower and other traffic were monitored by a team of technicians.

The tower opened to the public in May 1966. The 34th floor restaurant fast became a popular venue. It re-opened for two weeks this July when 1,400 people came to dine. 59,448 people entered the public ballot for a table.

In 1971 a bomb exploded on the 31st floor ripping out glass and steel. No one was hurt and no-one ever claimed responsibility. The damage took two years to repair and it was decided to restrict public access.

The BT Tower continues to be a focus for the public with the 34th floor used as regular venue for fundraising events such as BBC Children in Need — as well as many corporate events.

Over 50 years London's skyline has significantly changed. New landmarks ― such as The Gherkin and Millennium Wheel ― have joined the BT Tower. The world's largest panoramic photo of the tower, created by 360 Cities, dramatically depicts the changing skyline.

BT Tower was declared a national monument in 2001 and given grade two listing in 2003. A firework display marking 1,000 days to London 2012 was further proof of its unique status as a communications icon.

BT Tower 50th anniversary

Rising above London's bustling streets, it's half a century since BT Tower officially opened for operations. Built from 13,000 tonnes of steel and 4,600 square metres of glass, it stands 189 metres tall.