LIVE FROM BROADBAND WORLD FORUM 2015, LONDON: Gavin Patterson, CEO of BT, said that its proposed deal to acquire mobile market leader EE still means that “the UK will be a follower, not a leader,” when it comes to converged fixed and mobile services.

“The convergence of fixed and mobile networks is already taking place in many countries, across continental Europe, for example,” he said in a presentation today.

According to the executive, consumers have already stopped differentiating between fixed and mobile connectivity, as they begin using a wide range of services delivered via high-speed networks.

“The UK is a savvy nation of downloaders, sharers and online shoppers,” he said.

“And the distinction between fixed and mobile networks has all but vanished. Our customers want, and indeed expect, always on connectivity, whether they at home or out and about, whether they are working or streaming entertainment,” Patterson continued.

When quizzed on the potential benefits the combination of BT and EE will bring, the executive said that “I think we will begin to deliver services that are completely converged, so they won’t be tethered to either fixed or wireless, there will be a combination of both. So for the customer, it will be completely seamless and ubiquitous in terms of the connectivity.”

“Its early days. We haven’t had the acquisition confirmed yet, it’s going through merger control, but it’s certainly very exciting what it potentially brings to the business going forward,” the CEO concluded.