Change to Board of Directors

British Telecommunications PLC
7 April 2000

                 British Telecommunications plc
 Not for release, publication or distribution in or into Canada,
 Australia or Japan.  This announcement is not an extension of a
           tender offer in Canada, Australia or Japan
                                
                                
       BT APPOINTS NEW GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR IRELAND'S
                       ESAT TELECOM  GROUP


BT today announced the appointment of a new chief executive for
the Republic of Ireland's Esat Telecom Group, which it is buying
for £1.5 billion.

     Neil Parkinson, currently chief financial officer with Esat
Telecom Group, is to take up the role of group CEO from Denis
O'Brien, who is at present both chief executive and chairman. Mr
O'Brien will continue his involvement in the capacity of non-
executive chairman.

     Sir Peter Bonfield, chief executive of BT, in congratulating
Neil on his appointment said: 'I look forward to working with
Neil closely to further enhance BT's position in Ireland. Neil
has a wealth of experience and is very well-respected and admired
by employees and colleagues.'

     BT also confirmed that Barry Maloney will continue as chief
executive officer of Esat Digifone, with other senior appointments 
to be made in due course.

     Sir Peter said: ' I am delighted that Barry will continue in
his role with Esat Digifone. The success of the company to date
speaks for itself and we are delighted that he has re-committed
himself to the operation.'

     Denis O'Brien said: 'I am delighted by Neil's new appointment 
as he has been a very valuable asset in the development of the Esat 
Group over the last three and a half years. I know that Neil will 
grow the business with the prime objective of ensuring it achieves 
pole position in the Irish communications market.'

     BT today also announced that the Esat group will be
restructured in three business lines covering: the mobile sector;
the fixed line market and corporate Internet; and the consumer
Internet market. This is intended to maximise the range of
services offered to customers. BT's acquisition of the remaining
50 per cent of telecommunications operator Ocean is currently
subject to the approval of the Irish authorities.

     Sir Peter said: ' Along with its current Irish operation,
Ocean, the purchase of Esat provides further expansion in the
fast-developing Irish telecommunications market. It will bring
strong benefits to customers through increased competition and an
enhanced range of telecommunications products.'


Enquiries:
BT                                     44 (0) 20 7356 5369
Jon Salmon

N  M Rothschild & Sons Limited         44 (0) 207 280 5000
Nigel Higgins
Tony Allen
Matthew Metcalfe



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