Upgrading the nation for a digital world that works for everyone

The UK is becoming a digital-first society. But millions of people and businesses risk being left behind: around 8 million people1 in the UK are unable to complete the digital fundamentals independently.

At BT, we’re upgrading the nation for the digital world and making sure everyone can access, use and benefit from technology safely and confidently.

Over the past decade, BT has supported more than 23 million people and businesses with digital skills – one of the UK’s largest digital inclusion efforts. Now, we’re stepping up further – building on this progress with an extended goal to reach 30 million people and businesses with digital skills, tools and support by 2030. 

As the UK’s leading connectivity provider, we’re uniquely placed to tackle digital exclusion at scale - combining our networks, products, partnerships and people to drive real, measurable change.

With our scale, reach and expertise, we have a responsibility, and an opportunity, to help lead the UK’s transition to a more inclusive digital future.

Because when everyone can take part in the digital world, everyone benefits.

1Essential Digital Skills 2025

We’re building the best, most trusted digital networks for everyone

A fast, reliable connection is the foundation of digital inclusion. That's why we're continuing to expand our full fibre and mobile networks - helping more people, in more places, get online.

Our network now reaches nearly 23 million of homes and businesses, including 6.2 million rural and hard to reach areas, helping communities stay connected, access services and grow local economies. BT has also announced its ambition to bring full fibre to up to 30 million UK homes and businesses, beyond our existing target to reach 25 million premises by the end of 2026.

We're expanding our mobile network. We’ve expanded 5G+ coverage to reach 72.5% of the population, and announced our ambition to achieve near‑universal 99% coverage by 2030.

Penmachno residents
Penmachno residents

EE delivers UK first for the people of Penmachno

Residents and businesses in Penmachno, a rural Welsh village in the valleys of Eryri National Park, are no longer cut off from the outside world after EE becomes the UK’s first operator to deliver mobile coverage to the community.

EE’s connectivity is now being used to improve safety for residents and tourists, provide access to critical online services, and boost the local economy.

From not-spot to hotspot

We’re also making connectivity more affordable. 

We’re the market leader in social tariffs, currently helping around 845,000 low-income and vulnerable customers through affordable fibre broadband and calls.

Our Home Essentials social tariff gives discounted broadband to customers on Universal Credit. Our EE Basics does similar for eligible mobile customers. 

Our colleague fundraising and donations provided over £250,000 for our charity partner, Home-Start UK, to support families struggling with digital exclusion, isolation, physical health problems and many other issues.

Our Here for You website brings together BT’s wide range of products, services and support for those who need extra help in one easy-to-navigate place. It includes information about the Home Essentials social tariff, the latest accessibility options and priority services for customers with long-term illnesses or disabilities, and advice for dealing with scams. 

Digital safety for children, families & businesses

As more of life happens online, staying safe and secure has never been more important. We help protect our customers every day with tools, products and skills to navigate the online world with confidence.

As the digital backbone of the country, protecting customers from harm is central to BT’s ambition to be the UK’s most trusted connector of people, business and society.

Over the last year, BT blocked more than 73 million unwanted calls and flagged a further 222 million as suspicious, blocked 184 million spam SMS messages, and took action over more than 82,000 phishing sites that were targeting our customers.

BT works with national and international partners to prevent and disrupt the activities of scammers attacking our customers. We employ a 68-person strong team of ‘ethical hackers’ constantly probing our own security.

As a company serving families and those caring for children across the UK, BT understands that children’s lives are increasingly playing out in the digital world. BT is committed to helping to promote safe and responsible tech use among young people and protect them online. You can find out more about digital access and safety for children on our Responsible tech and child rights page.

We're a founding member of Internet Matters, who provide tailored resources to help children be safe and kind online. The resources are available to anyone, on any network. An overwhelming majority of BT Group customers (98%) have gone on to take some form of positive action to help keep their children safe online after visiting the Internet Matters website. This has resulted in over 3.3 million actions taken to help protect children online1.

1BT/Internet Matters own research.

Safer Sims

EE launched Safer Sims, the only major network with SIMS designed to help keep kids safe on any smartphone.

Digital Voice

As the UK prepares for the 2027 PSTN switch off, we’re supporting vulnerable customers to transition safely to Digital Voice.

Digital Sovereignty

BT launched a sovereign platform to deliver a pioneering suite of new digital sovereignty services for the UK private and public sector. 

Skills and confidence

Access alone isn’t enough – people need the confidence and skills to use technology in ways that work for them. That’s why we provide training, tools and support for children, families and older people, and small businesses. 

  • BT wants to support children and families to use technology confidently and safely:

    • PhoneSmart, our online learning platform, has guidelines for parents on online safety issues like AI and recognising deepfakes. We have issued over 4,300 PhoneSmart licenses to children who have completed all five modules.
    • EE, in partnership with Internet Matters, has issued guidance for parents from helping choosing their child’s first phone to understanding parental controls – read our Kid’s phones and online safety.

    BT is committed to equipping young people with the key digital skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace. Our Education and Skills hub showcases our Work Ready programme, inspiring STEM learning resources, insights into our innovative DigiTech Centre, and plenty of opportunities designed to prepare young people for a successful and impactful career. 

    Our education programmes

    BT Group brings generations together in Preston to help bridge the digital divide

    BT hosted a multi-generational digital skills day in Preston, bringing together students, teachers and older residents for hands-on learning aimed at boosting confidence and tackling digital exclusion. 

    Held on 12 March at Deepdale Football Stadium, the event brought together students aged 11–14 and adults aged 55+ for practical digital learning sessions. Students explored digital skills and future careers, with a particular focus on STEM, while older learners received training to build digital confidence, including online safety and everyday digital tasks. Fifteen students also developed their confidence and communication skills by staying on to support the older learners, answering questions and sharing practical tips.

    Bringing generations together
    School children attending a Work Ready event in Preston
    School children attending a Work Ready event in Preston

  • We’re committed to helping older and underserved groups to access the benefits of a digital world.

    Around 4.7m people aged 65+ don’t have the basic skills needed to use the internet successfully1. Since 2023 we’ve supported nearly 20,000 people to build their skills, confidence and ability to stay safe online through free in-person sessions and online webinars. We’ve expanded our scope from older people to include disabled adults as well.  

    Our partnership with AbilityNet

    1 Offline and Overlooked: Digital exclusion and its impact on older people (ageuk.org.uk)

    A new mindset, one click at a time

    Retired project manager Kamla Parmar, 76, was unable to bank online, book her own travel tickets or use passwords on her devices and thought she’d “never grasp” how to do things online until she joined group digital skills sessions with AbilityNet trainer Steve. 

    She now says she’s proof you’re never too old to learn and has completely changed her mindset around digital technology: “Going to these sessions and seeing other people around me in a similar position helped me instantly as everybody has their own difficulties but we were all in it together. I was very reluctant about doing so many things online because I was scared of being scammed or doing something wrong."

    Since taking part in the AbilityNet training, Kamla is now able to bank online and even booked her own plane ticket for a holiday to Spain in a matter of minutes. “As a result of the confidence I’ve built, I was able to do it myself. The things that seem difficult are actually a lot simpler than you imagine them to be."

    Kamla Parmar
    Kamla Parmar

  • Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, but keeping up with an increasingly complex digital world can be challenging. As cyber threats continue to evolve, many businesses need practical support to build confidence, reduce risk and protect what matters most.

    That's why we're focused on making cyber security simple. Through BT's Cyber Support Hub, we provide free, accessible resources designed specifically for busy small and medium-sized businesses. From expert guidance and bite-sized videos to practical tools and cyber health checks, we help businesses understand cyber security and take action with confidence.

    The Cyber Support Hub provides:

    • Cyber security guides, articles and videos
    • Free cyber health checks and readiness assessments
    • Practical tools and resources to improve cyber resilience
    • AI-powered support to help businesses find answers quickly
    • Expert insights and regular updates on emerging cyber threats

    Working alongside organisations including the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Be the Business and Small Business Britain, we're helping businesses build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to protect their people, devices and data.

    By making cyber security more accessible, we aim to help businesses strengthen their resilience, embrace digital opportunities and thrive in an increasingly connected world.

    Government AI skills

    BT has joined Government, and other tech companies, to upskill 10 million workers in AI by 2030.

    This January, we launched the AI Skills Boost platform, a free training offer.

Working with partners

Together, we can achieve more for the communities we support. That’s why we’re working with charities, governments and community organisations to reach those who need support most.

Across BT we support range of charity partners, including:

  • UK charity AbilityNet to deliver nationwide training to improve the digital skills of people aged 65+, visit our senior skills page to find out more
  • Through The Connection Project, we're working with partners across sectors to better understand and tackle digital exclusion, using evidence, insight and real world testing to shape solutions that work.  Read TCP’s first report - Misconnected.
  • Home-Start UK who support families struggling with digital exclusion, isolation and physical health problems and a range of other issues.
  • Funding UNICEF’s ‘Digital Learning Passport’ tech platform, which enables online and offline access to quality educational resources for young people. We also support their Children’s Emergency Fund.
  • The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, where we provide financial contributions to the charity and volunteering opportunities for colleagues

India skills partnership

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young people reached in India with digital skills, STEM career guidance and job opportunities

Since 2019, BT has been working in partnership with the British Asian Trust to help empower adolescent girls in India.

Our solutions are aimed at:

  • Bridging the gender gap in education, digital skills and STEM subjects.
  • Promoting employability of young women in the formal sector.
  • Driving social norm change and prioritisation of women and girls.
  • Creating safe spaces for adolescent engagement.

From 2025, our solutions have also included:

  • Keeping adolescents and youth safe online.
  • Making programmes inclusive for Persons with Disabilities.

Our programmes have reached 2.2 million adolescent and youth lives since 2019.

BT Group is proud to be associated with the Outdoor School for Girls

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