BT sees profits surge as broadband base expands

BT's pre-tax profits for the first quarter to June 30th have risen by 38 per cent from £375 million to £517 million due largely to a growth in its broadband customer base.

The company added 141,000 new customers, with more than 251,000 people signed up to broadband services that use the firm's network.

Ian Livingstone, chief executive of BT, said the organisation is making good progress in terms of achieving its operational, financial and growth targets.

"Our share of DSL broadband net additions was 56 per cent. Our super-fast broadband network has now passed over five million premises and the customer base has almost trebled in the last six months," he added.

Mr Livingstone went on to add that BT Global Services has secured its largest ever contract in Latin America and is making good progress in emerging markets.

The company recently revealed plans to connect a further 2.5 million homes in the UK to its advanced copper broadband infrastructure.