Financial Times (FT) reported UK authorities would oppose any move by Bharti Enterprises to increase its current shareholding of almost 25% in BT Group on technology sovereignty grounds, a prospect raised in the media last week.

The newspaper noted the stance on limiting influence from companies based overseas on the UK operator was due to its position in the country’s critical infrastructure, rather than anything specific to the Indian conglomerate.

Bharti taking its stake above 25% would require a regulatory review, while raising its holding to above 30% would require a full takeover offer to be made.

In its various statements since buying the bulk of its BT shareholding in 2024, Bharti has maintained it had no plans for a full takeover. The company also denied Reuters reports published last week (21 May) claiming it was mulling an increase in its existing share.

Quoting a “government figure” today (28 May), FT stated the position on foreign investment was due to the importance of resilience and sovereign capabilities in today’s world.

Among its business interests BT owns Openreach, the infrastructure business conducting a full fibre rollout alongside maintaining the country’s existing fixed network infrastructure.

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