BT loses grip on international business market

Figures released yesterday by UK telecoms watchdog, Oftel, show BT's share of the international business call market has slipped to just 37.1 per cent.

Two years ago, the UK's largest telco held 57.4 per cent of the market, but Cable and Wireless Communications and nearly 200 other companies have made substantial inroads.

David Edmonds, Oftel's director general, said: "This shows the success of the UK's policy to liberalise the international markets. With such fierce competition, customers can demand better services at better prices."

In response to modern market conditions, BT has consistently pledged to remain competitive, for example, cutting the price of calls to the US by 89 per cent for most customers. The company is counting on its recently forged alliance with AT&T to win back international business, offering combined data and voice services.