BRITISH Telecom has defended plans to break the company into two and spin off its mobile phone division, BT Wireless, telling shareholders it was the right decision to make.
Speaking at its annual meeting in Nottingham, Sir Christopher Bland told about 1,300 shareholders that the de-merger, into Future BT and BT Wireless, was in the business's strategic interests.
Responding to a question from a shareholder who asked BT's board to reconsider its plans, Sir Christopher acknowledged there were "strong arguments" against splitting up the fixed and mobile phone networks.
He said: "There are strong arguments for keeping together, but there are equally strong and, on balance, stronger arguments for separating them.
"The characteristics of these businesses are very different. We think it is the right decision."
The BT chairman, who faced criticism from some shareholders over remuneration packages for directors, added: "We have got to take this great company forward."
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