Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

BT CEO tests positive for coronavirus, goes into self-isolation after meeting fellow bosses from Vodafone UK, Three, O2 plus govt officials

We can't even go to the pub and wait for this to all blow over

BT Group has confirmed its CEO has been diagnosed with COVID-19 just days after meeting fellow telco top brass at a gathering organised by the UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

In a statement, Philip Jansen said: "Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested. As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home.

"I've met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could."

On Monday, 9 March, BT's boss, along with the chief execs of Vodafone UK, Three and O2, met Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and mobile industry trade association reps to pen a £1bn agreement with the British government to boost connectivity in rural areas.

According to the FT, O2 and Vodafone's leaders are also self-isolating.

The billion-quid Shared Rural Network deal is hoped to improve 4G coverage, particularly in areas across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, irrespective of the network used by customers, government officials said. It will provide "guaranteed coverage" to 280,000 premises and 16,000km of roads apparently.

Jansen added today: "Given my symptoms seem relatively mild, I will continue to lead BT but work with my team remotely over the coming week." He said will be "no disruption to business".

BT revealed it is working closely with Public Health England to initiate a "full deep clean of relevant parts" of the group's HQ in central London and is advising staff that came into contact with the boss to similarly stay at home.

At the latest count, 130,000 COVID-19 cases have been recorded worldwide, officially, and the World Health Organisation this week branded the illness a pandemic. ®

Similar topics

Similar topics

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like