Money20/20 Exclusive Video: Etc. at BT Group on Tap to Pay

In attendance at Money20/20 Europe this year, John Gutch, Product Leader and Product Designer of Etc. – the incubation arm of BT Group – discusses how his team is leading innovative projects to expand BT’s reach into various new business verticals. 

As part of BT Group, Etc. focuses on developing businesses in areas that are adjacent to BT's traditional telecommunications operations, such as fintech, EV charging, health technology and drones.

BT Tap to Pay app

One of the core innovations brought to market by Etc. is the BT Tap to Pay app, designed to simplify the payment process for BT's business customers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Developed in collaboration with the financial technology platform Adyen, Tap to Pay supports business owners juggling multiple roles, with little time to effectively manage payments. 

“BT Tap to Pay allows small businesses to accept contactless payments directly via their iPhone, eliminating the need for additional devices,” John says. This solution leverages the iPhone's security features and BT's reliable EE network, allowing for seamless payment processing from virtually anywhere.

The app is available on the Apple App Store and offers a competitive transaction fee of 1.4%, with funds becoming available within 48 hours. 

John says this innovation is particularly beneficial for sectors like driving instructors and food trucks, which require flexible payment solutions.

"For us, it's all about building out our Tap to Pay product, really understanding what the customer problems are and pain points that we're trying to solve," he notes. 

By embedding solutions like BT Tap to Pay into all customer touchpoints, Etc. aims to create seamless experiences that enhance business operations. 

The incubation arm's approach is not just about technological innovation but also about integrating these solutions into the broader BT ecosystem to maximise their impact.

Exploring EV charging, healthtech & drones

BT’s ecosystem is vast – meaning Etc. must innovate far beyond the bounds of financial services alone. The group is leading innovations in other verticals like EV charging – and doing so sustainably. 

As the UK shifts to fibre broadband, traditional copper broadband infrastructures are fast becoming obsolete. 

“What we're going to do is convert those old broadband cabinets into electric vehicle charging points for the public," John notes, addressing infrastructure challenges associated with the transition to electric vehicles while supporting government initiatives.

Etc. is also venturing into health technology, aiming to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the UK's National Health Service (NHS). By leveraging BT's network capabilities, Etc. is exploring solutions that could improve healthcare delivery and efficiency.

What’s more, the company is investigating the potential of drones, utilising BT's network to create what John calls a ‘highway in the sky’ for safe and secure drone flights. This has the potential to revolutionise logistics and delivery services, offering greater connectivity and convenience.

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