Networks

Networks

Making new connections

The way we think about the network is changing. Traditional networks did different things. Our phone calls ran over the PSTN network. Mobiles relied on transmitters beaming our mobile network across the land. And then came broadband, initially piggy-backing the PSTN network before landing on its own fibre network.

But those siloes are swiftly becoming a thing of the past. Today, we’re building one converged network, with the ultimate aim to support seamless switching between the underlying technologies on which your device depends.

We’re building a highly configurable and adaptable network, where every connected device works seamlessly with whatever attributes you need – bandwidth, latency, reliability – all within a leading, secure environment.

Consumers, businesses, public and private organisations are all consuming ever higher bandwidths, clamouring for more features, ubiquitous coverage, continuous availability, and seamless connectivity between fixed, mobile, and cloud-based services.

Our network is everywhere

You may not even realise you’re using it but modern life is only possible because of the work we’ve put into creating, maintaining, and expanding our network.

We all know we’re using the network when we’re streaming TV, checking in on our social media, and downloading photos from the cloud, but there are myriad connections continually happening in the background. The NHS, blue light services, and air traffic control all rely on a robust, secure, nimble network to keep us safe.

Businesses of all stripes are increasingly reliant on cloud-based apps for everything they do: think Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Suite, VoIP phone systems and so on. Smart cities wouldn’t be so smart without our network underpinning street lighting, car parking, traffic control, flood defences, payment systems, entry systems, and virtually-everything-systems.

And that’s just what we do now. The internet of things (IoT) is still in its infancy. We need to build a network that’s fully prepared for the challenges of the future. Seamless integration of cloud services is essential. And the more complex our network, the more devices we connect to it, the more applications that run over it, the more we need to protect it against cyber-criminals. Our network doesn’t just have to work, it has to be totally secure.

Our focus on the future

Increasing network capacity

The demands on network capacity are always increasing. And we’re always exploring ways of expanding that capacity. Currently, we’re looking at:

Developing and demonstrating new optical network technologies – right back to the fundamental physics
Developing innovative radio access network (RAN) technologies, including Massive MIMO, small cell and open RAN (O-RAN) technologies
Continuing to push the capabilities of our copper access network
Exploring alternative technologies such as satellite and drone based broadband for remote areas

Laying stepping stones to a future network

A future network needs future-first thinking; we have to build enablers into the current network that will make that future network possible. It’s as if we’re leaving tools for our developers to pick up further down the line. So we’re embedding enablers of emerging technology into the network. Things like cloud-native network architecture, AI and intelligent network management tools.

Optimising network performance

We strive to understand all aspects of our networks performance, from the fundamental network metrics (speed, latency, throughput, downtime, and so on – all the usual numbers on the dashboard) through to the true customer-level quality of experience (QoE). This allows us to give the customer the best experience for their needs, every time.

Exploring the science of networks

To keep our place as Network leaders we’re continuously innovating around network technology, pioneering the next generation of communication capabilities to deliver the ultimate converged customer experience.

Enhancing network energy efficiency

With an ambition to become a net zero business by 2031, improving the energy efficiency of our networks is a major priority for us. Whether using emerging tools like AI and machine learning to dynamically match power consumption with network usage, switching on our first renewably powered RAN site, or turning off energy-inefficient legacy technologies, we’re making strong progress towards delivering against this objective across both our fixed and mobile networks.

Increasing network capacity

The demands on network capacity are always increasing. And we’re always exploring ways of expanding that capacity. Currently, we’re looking at:

Developing and demonstrating new optical network technologies – right back to the fundamental physics
Developing innovative radio access network (RAN) technologies, including Massive MIMO, small cell and open RAN (O-RAN) technologies
Continuing to push the capabilities of our copper access network
Exploring alternative technologies such as satellite and drone based broadband for remote areas

Laying stepping stones to a future network

A future network needs future-first thinking; we have to build enablers into the current network that will make that future network possible. It’s as if we’re leaving tools for our developers to pick up further down the line. So we’re embedding enablers of emerging technology into the network. Things like cloud-native network architecture, AI and intelligent network management tools.

Optimising network performance

We strive to understand all aspects of our networks performance, from the fundamental network metrics (speed, latency, throughput, downtime, and so on – all the usual numbers on the dashboard) through to the true customer-level quality of experience (QoE). This allows us to give the customer the best experience for their needs, every time.

Exploring the science of networks

To keep our place as Network leaders we’re continuously innovating around network technology, pioneering the next generation of communication capabilities to deliver the ultimate converged customer experience.

BT Group's first self-powering mobile site, located in the Shropshire Hills

Enhancing network energy efficiency

With an ambition to become a net zero business by 2031, improving the energy efficiency of our networks is a major priority for us. Whether using emerging tools like AI and machine learning to dynamically match power consumption with network usage, switching on our first renewably powered RAN site, or turning off energy-inefficient legacy technologies, we’re making strong progress towards delivering against this objective across both our fixed and mobile networks.

Change is coming – voice is going digital

It’s time to make way for an all-IP (internet protocol). In the UK, the PSTN (public switched telephone network) remains the dominant telephone network. As a technology from the 20^th century, it’s unable to keep pace with the digital demands we’re all placing on it today.

That’s why we’re moving all our customers onto our new fully digital network. We’ve already started and by the time we’ve finished every phone line in the UK will be digital, routing all phone calls over IP rather than the tradition PSTN. Giving our customers crystal clear voice quality and integrating voice with the rest of their broadband services.

Find out more about the move to digital voice

Networks business structure

Greg McCall

Chief Security and Networks Officer

Biography

Appointed January 2026.

Since joining BT in 2013, Greg has held senior roles across the business, most recently as BT’s Chief Networks Officer. Greg played a pivotal role in launching the UK’s first 5G network, delivering the Emergency Services Network, and led the rapid rollout of BT Sport. Under his leadership, BT achieved industry-leading performance, including the only 900-point score in the Umlaut Benchmark, and introduced cutting-edge products like Wi-Fi 7.

Prior to BT, Greg spent 17 years in senior roles at TalkTalk and Carphone Warehouse.

2025: A year of innovation and network growth

Making new connections

Our network vision is customer-centric

We’re building to meet future network demand

Our network is everywhere

Our focus on the future

Increasing network capacity

Laying stepping stones to a future network

Optimising network performance

Exploring the science of networks

Enhancing network energy efficiency

Increasing network capacity

Laying stepping stones to a future network

Optimising network performance

Exploring the science of networks

Enhancing network energy efficiency

Change is coming – voice is going digital

Networks business structure

Greg McCall

Chief Security and Networks Officer

Les Anderson

Chief Information Security Officer

Kirsty Baxter-Smith

Director of Operational Resilience & Service Management

Ed Briggs

Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan Parr

Group Safety Director

Dan Rider

Director of HR

Gabriela Styf Sjöman

MD, Research and Network Strategy

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