The BT Towers (Formerly The Post Office Towers)

BT (British Telecommunications) is a telecommunications company based in Britain and it used to be owned by the public sector (which meant that the government directly oversaw its operation). But in 1984 it was privatised under Margaret Thatcher's reign with all the government's shares sold by 1993. British Telecommunications (that is an eighteen character word and the reason why the company is almost always shortened to BT) owns a lot of street infrastructure and a few famous towers leftover from its public sector days.

BT has towers in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, and Swansea. Cardiff’s and Swansea’s towers are just tall office blocks, Bristol’s and Manchester’s are actual telecommunication towers. But Birmingham’s and London’s towers, whilst supporting communications, are also landmarks and proper towers of a tall, narrow nature with offices inside.

BT Tower (Birmingham)

The tallest structure in Birmingham and standing at a height of 152 metres the BT Tower in Birmingham is an icon. Like the London tower it was formerly known as the Post Office Tower and opened in 1965.

Whilst being an icon the tower is also used for communication with microwave dishes located near the top of the tower. These dishes mean that the tower needs to be stable in high winds so it was specially constructed to minimise sway.

BT Tower (London)

Also known as the Post Office Tower, the BT Tower in London opened one year earlier than the Birmingham Tower in 1964. It gained its grade II listed status in 2003 which means that major changes to the building are not allowed under law.

It is located on 60 Cleveland Street proximal to Great Portland Street, Warren Street and Goodge Street Underground stations.

The top of the BT Tower in London has a digital display around its full circumference with it usually having prominent BT branding. But because the display is digital it can also show other things with these include calls to get your coronavirus vaccine, pride celebrations, and the Ukraine flag in support of Ukraine.

The tower used to be the tallest building in London but in the first few decades of its opening it was officially a secret. This was because of its importance in the national communications networks and the "security threat" of its location being known.