BT 2000 Annual Report Download - page 17

Business review
16 Annual report and Form 20-F
Global Markets: Working through a global network of
distributors, Concert o¡ers facilities-based communications
solutions for multinational companies and other business
customers and institutions worldwide. AT&T, BT and
other distributors around the world sell Concert services,
including private line, frame relay, global software de¢ned
networks and value-added IP services. This part of the
business includes the activities of BT's former wholly-
owned subsidiary, previously known as Concert
Communications Services. Working through its network
of global distributors, Concert serves about an additional
29,000 customers worldwide.
International Carrier Services: This business sells
services to ¢xed and wireless carriers and ISPs worldwide,
including AT&T and BT. This year, AT&T and BT's
combined international voice tra¤c is expected to be
approximately 25 billion minutes.
From January 2000, the responsibility for handling
transit calls and the termination of outgoing calls from
the UK has been transferred from BT to Concert.
BT continues to handle the termination of incoming
international calls into the UK, but these are now routed
through Concert.
Research and development
Our commitment to research and development is
fundamental to ensuring we continue to exploit the latest
technologies to provide our customers with advanced
information and communication services.
We have research and development centres at Adastral
Park (Martlesham) Ipswich, London, Cardi¡, Belfast and
Glasgow. Our own highly-skilled teams of engineers are
complemented by partnerships with leading technology
suppliers and universities on a global scale.
In the 2000 ¢nancial year, we invested »345 million in
research and development. Major areas of work included
the next generation internet, broadband wireless and ¢xed
access networks, advanced data services, information and
network security, 3G mobile multimedia services and the
software system to support the management and integrity
of our networks worldwide. We are also undertaking
research on the impact of advanced communications on
lifestyles, education and healthcare in the connected society
of the twenty-¢rst century.
Our people
At 31 March 2000, BT employed around 137,000 people
throughout the world, with 126,000 in the UK, making us
one of the UK's largest private sector employers.
The number of people
employed increased by
approximately 12,000 in the
year. This increase included
almost 6,600 joining through
acquisitions and new
subsidiaries, the conversion
of around 2,500 former
agency people onto BT
employment, plus
recruitment in the UK
business to meet increased
demand ^ particularly in our
mobile, internet and multimedia businesses. Additional
resources have also been brought in to continue the
transformation of our network and to prepare for new
products such as the ADSL broadband launch. BT
recruited almost 600 high-calibre graduates in the year,
across all areas of the business.
As part of the continuing programme of reshaping the
group and reducing our cost base, we are implementing a
voluntary redundancy programme. This will cover 3,000
managers, who we expect to leave the business by the end
of September 2000.
BT employs around 11,000 people outside the UK.
Around 33,000 people are employed by our joint ventures
and associates.
BT is committed to investing in and supporting its
people with innovative, leading-edge policies and
programmes, creating a working environment which
embraces all aspects of diversity and allows people to
achieve their real potential. We actively encourage the
employment and development of people with disabilities,
including those who develop a disability during their
career. To help our people balance work and home
responsibilities, we have a range of £exible working
arrangements in place, including part-time working, job
sharing and opportunities for homeworking.
In 1999, BT introduced its Valuing Di¡erence Awards,
to recognise and celebrate individuals and teams who are
seen as role models in valuing diversity. Externally, BT
and its Ethnic Minority Network received a Gold Standard
Award in the 1999 British Diversity Awards and was
shortlisted for a 1999 Opportunity Now Award. BT
continues to be a leading member of the Employer's Forum
on Disability, the Employer's Forum on Age, Race for
Opportunity and Opportunity Now. We also provide senior
executive-level leadership for campaigns run by the
Commission for Racial Equality (CRE Leadership