Virgin Media O2, the mobile operator, is set to reduce its UK workforce by up to 2,000 jobs, accounting for approximately 12% of its total employees, by the end of this year. The announced
figure includes 800 roles that were previously disclosed earlier, according to BBC sources.
The company acknowledges that any period of transformation can be challenging. The decision to cut jobs follows similar announcements from rivals BT and Vodafone, both of which revealed their own job reduction plans in May.
A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 stated that the company is currently consulting on proposals to simplify its operating model to enhance customer service, which will result in some job cuts this year. The firm is committed to supporting its employees throughout this process by engaging in open and honest conversations about their future.
The Communication Workers Union expressed concern about the news, stating that it is causing significant anxiety among its members. The union vows to take all possible steps to mitigate the impact of the redundancies.
Virgin Media O2 was created in 2021 following the merger of mobile operator O2 and broadband giant Virgin Media. The job cuts are part of the ongoing integration of these two businesses and a broader drive to enhance operational efficiency.
Karen Egan, a senior telecoms analyst at Enders Analysis, highlights the challenging state of the telecoms industry, stating that Virgin Media O2's job cuts may be a result of ongoing integration efforts. She emphasizes that all telecoms companies are facing difficulties due to stagnant revenues and increased costs associated with investments in 5G and fiber infrastructure.
Earlier this year, BT, the UK's largest broadband and mobile provider, announced its plans to eliminate up to 55,000 jobs by the end of the decade, with a substantial portion to be replaced by artificial intelligence and other technologies. Likewise, Vodafone revealed its intention to cut approximately 11,000 jobs over the next three years. Photo by Rodhullandemu, Wikimedia commons.