Shares in British Telecommunications (BT) were boosted today by the release of data showing its BT Cellnet unit maintained its position as the second-largest mobile operator in the UK, dealers said.
BT today said its cellular phone unit added 1.5 million new customers in the fourth quarter, with total customer numbers rising to 10.24 million in the UK.
The gains were driven by an aggressive pre-Christmas promotional drive on pre-paid customers, which now account for some 65 per cent of the network's users.
Most analysts had expected BT Cellnet to add only 1 million net new subscribers in the quarter, raising concerns about BT's ability to maintain its number 2 place against strong competition from France Telecom SA's Orange.
Today's figures show BT Cellnet still lagging behind the market leader Vodafone Group, which added 1.42 million new UK subscribers in the fourth quarter giving it a total customer base of 11.6 million.
At 1.31 p.m., shares in BT were up 14 1/2p at 644 1/2p.
AFP