BT - Group reported 43% increase in profits in the first half year

[ft] BT Group increased earnings and cash flow forecasts on Thursday as it unveiled a 43 per cent increase in first-half profit.

The improved outlook followed a strong second quarter for broadband, with 114,000 new customers added – a growth rate that was almost 60 per cent higher than the one it had posted a year earlier.

“Broadband has become more and more of an essential for people,” said Ian Livingston, BT chief executive.

In addition, he highlighted a continued recovery at BT’s lossmaking global services arm, which provides telecoms and IT services to governments and global corporations.

BT lifts forecasts after solid second quarter