BT Group is reportedly reviving talks regarding the sale or a partnership for its international operations, approximately a year after previous negotiations were halted. The struggling international unit, which includes operations in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, is now led by Clive Selley, former head of Openreach. This move aligns with CEO Allison Kirkby's strategy to refocus BT on the domestic UK market, where the company has been losing customers to smaller rivals. The company aims to optimize its resources for the UK market.
BT is expected to engage in discussions with major telecommunication companies such as AT&T, Orange, and Verizon. Industry sources cited by Sky News suggest that Lazard or Goldman Sachs are anticipated to advise BT on these renewed talks. This development follows BT's earlier plans to establish a separate international unit and its divestment of non-core international assets, such as the financial information business Radianz, to streamline its global operations.
The international business provides corporate clients with network-related, cloud, and security services in its overseas markets. A potential divestment would support BT's broader strategy of refining its domestic focus, which may also include a revival of the BT Mobile brand alongside its EE brand. This strategic shift comes amid rising competitive pressures and resource constraints in the UK market, making the offloading of international assets a key part of the company's optimization efforts.
