British Approvals Board for Telecommunications

It was established in July 1982 by the UK government to provide type approval services to the telecommunications terminal industry.

[1] The main four British suppliers of telephones were very wary about supplying to non-BT independent retailers.

At the same time BT was introducing its so-called IXT phones (IneXpensive Telephone), designed for the new plug-and-socket connections - another innovation.

Philips TMC (formerly the Telephone Manufacturing Company) also made the new (more electronic) IXT phones.

BABT is wholly owned by TÜV SÜD Product Service, Germany's leading testing and certification body.