Member Info for NDNIC00

Lately there has been a lot of noise on this board in regard of BT being sold or taken over or separating OR from the parent company. One result of which is the usurpation that this will get BT out of its commitments to the BTPS funding situation. It’s not that simple as to assume that

“ another entity will have that debt and not BT” it’s not that simple, perhaps some effort to properly investigate this befor hand may have been considered. Below is part of a post from a few months ago that highlights the issues with this perception.

“ A takeover of BT would be very problematic for one reason, the BTPS deficit and the Crown guarantee that the scheme has. Basically the CG is there should BT become insolvent, if that were to happen then the Crown that is the government therefor the taxpayers fund the schemes deficit. The CG only applies to BT and no other entity, so in theory a takeover would leave the BTPS without funding.

The Pensions act 2004 not in force, under which a company pays a levy into the pensions protection fund. Also, Pensions act 1995 section 75, when companies are sold a cash payment is made to pension, not applicable to BT due to crown garentee.

If a takeover were to be attempted then this problem would come into play, likely ending up in the courts, likely for a very long time, with all parties involved having to spend unknown amounts in legal fees.

Separating say OR totally from BT would also cause a potential funding problem. As OR brings in a high percentage of BTs income. If BT lost that income then what income is left would still have to fund the BTPS. Less income, more debt, potential big problem for the company.”

Wow 1p a share. Now that would be a bargain…

Not just the shorts. Bet there are some concerns at VMO2 and the Altnets that are still in business. FTTP rollout continues and capex showing signs of reducing. GLA

Held

It’s a good deal that has run in the past. The employee agrees to a future date to leave, then continues as normal to that date. Good for the employee and BT as both can manage there future and plan for it rather than a staff member needing to make a decision and then leave within a few weeks causing potential problems for BT in the short term. Very good idea and forward thinking.

Easy version.

https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/battle-bt-britain-brutal-broadband-150000732.html

Totally agree Fleccy. Just pointing out the amount of steel work in many of the larger exchanges often over several floors. Tens of thousands of square feet per building, some equipment rooms have overhead cable trays between 50% to near 100% of the floor area, then equipment racking. If BT were to get say 50% of its value then over hundreds of the larger buildings then added to the other recovery values a lot of money. Then again the time scales of building closer’s may not make it economic to recover. Guess time will tell.

Pound. Yes some lead sheath but most of that was Trunk network, interconnecting exchanges, most of which by now has been recovered where possible. Not only lead, copper and alli but there is a lot at steel work in exchanges so as they get decommissioned a lot of value there, assuming it still belongs to BT. You never know.

This forum is looking like, speakers corner. One person is shouting the same message all day long hoping for some attention. The message sometimes has some humor that causes some to linger for a short time, then wander on having lost interest. Then there is I notice the Professor of all telecoms technology, aus, blocked around Christmas so no content to read, got tired of the paranoia and conspiracy theories. Some might consider a similar approach.

Fleccy. Even at this level my personal position for my holding is still good as nearly all my holding is at a discount. That is why it makes no difference to me at present. Have had some very good profits over the many years of holding, If a bid comes fine if not no problem.

GLA

The Elephant in the room.

A takeover of BT would be very problematic for one reason, the BTPS deficit and the Crown guarantee that the scheme has. Basically the CG is there should BT become insolvent, if that were to happen then the Crown that is the government therefor the taxpayers fund the schemes deficit. The CG only applies to BT and no other entity, so in theory a takeover would leave the BTPS without funding.

The Pensions act 2004 not in force, under which a company pays a levy into the pensions protection fund. Also, Pensions act 1995 section 75, when companies are sold a cash payment is made to pension, not applicable to BT due to crown garentee.

If a takeover were to be attempted then this problem would come into play, likely ending up in the courts, likely for a very long time, with all parties involved having to spend unknown amounts in legal fees.

Separating say OR totally from BT would also cause a potential funding problem. As OR brings in a high percentage of BTs income. If BT lost that income then what income is left would still have to fund the BTPS. Less income, more debt, potential big problem for the company.

Personally I am not bothered if there is a takeover attempt, or not, with respect to my shareholding. This situation may be why the two big shareholders are happy to wait until FTTP is done, the SP rises to a point where they can sell at a profit, and had a dividend income as well until selling.

BT used to work with, WealthatWork to provide advice to all over 50s every 2-3 years with the offer of a 1 hour personal consultation free of charge to go over your personal situation. I can only assume that this is still in place, even if with another provider. This gives all staff members the latest information on what can be achieved. This company also worked, works, with other national companies including the likes of M&S, Boots to name but two. BT has always assisted its staff in the matters of voluntary redundancy and pension options and clearly still does. Good on them.

Oh Dear.

There you go, it’s Christmas

2 for the price of one

Ho Ho ho

People who are naive enough as to use the same credentials over various FULL PUBLIC ACCESS internet sites, use the same insulting language, comment repeatedly that someone has mental health issues, responds with vile comments because they do not have the same views as another, comment that another’s technical knowledge on a subject are irrelevant and not as knowledgeable as there’s, even when they know that individual has real world experience, unlike themselves, then it is possible that they may give themselves away with repeated phrases, then that person clearly may well have some insecurities possibly paranoia who can say. Perhaps with a less aggressive, insulting, belittling approach people will receive a better perspective and constructive impression, who’s to say.

Merry Christmas to all

“ People will not be switched to digital phone lines without thorough checks to ensure their medical devices will continue to work.”

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/bt-rivals-told-stop-forcing-060000235.html

SOM

“ Actually, gardening leave would be better.“

Now those were the days. Know several people who had that. Nearly 2 years at home on full pay while management tried to find them a job. Then took early retirement with a redundancy package. So yes. Bring it back. There will be plenty of takers.

Mind you it will cause problems with your hope for a bid…

Looks like the romance of a few months ago has meet its inevitable end.

Interesting to see that the providers noted in the OFCOM release all use CPI as the basis of there calculations plus 3.9% to set the next years increase, the exception being VM/O2, who use the higher RPI index plus the 3.9%.

BT use the previous December value, ie Dec 2022 at 10.5% giving an April increase of 14.4%. Unsure which month others that use CPI choose but likely to also be December of the previous year.

The exception is VM/02 who started using this method, along with other major providers, but use RPI value, which this year was for the month of May 2023 which was 11.3% giving an increase total of 15.2%.

If they had used, as others noted do, the CPI for May 2023 that would have been 8.7% so a total of 13.3%.

It would appear that VM/02 are in greater need of the additional income than the other providers mentioned in the report, impacting on there customers cost of living increases more than others mentioned.

OFCOM has really given itself an ongoing problem now in regards to how much of an increase is acceptable, they will have to come up with some rules that all will need to follow, question is how to decide those rules, so it is fair to all concerned. OFCOM otherwise known as, Jobs For The Boys…

Just OFCOM justifying their existence again. Nothing will change, as said each year an increase will be decided on for all contracts from April that year. Did notice that BT has the largest number of social tariff customers by far, well done BT, always leading from the front…