Umkämpfter Telko-Markt: Vodafone baut in Deutschland rund 2.300 Stellen ab

German telecommunications giant Vodafone is implementing a major restructuring and cost-cutting program in the country, announcing the elimination of approximately 2,300 jobs over the next two years. This represents nearly 19 percent of the company's workforce of around 12,000 employees. Vodafone's CEO, Marcel de Groot, revealed the need to streamline structures and rejuvenate the business following years of customer attrition.

Cost reductions, including through increased use of artificial intelligence, will play a significant role in achieving these savings, according to de Groot.

Despite recent positive changes, including stabilizing the business, expanding business customer markets, and improving products, networks, and services, Vodafone emphasized that these steps were insufficient. The telecommunications landscape is fundamentally changing at an unprecedented pace, making competition fiercer. To succeed in the future, Vodafone must invest in growth areas such as fiber-optic and cloud services, and security solutions for business customers.

The company will also focus on developing digital customer channels to enhance customer experience and loyalty, and leverage AI to reduce costs and boost revenues in new business sectors.

The sharp reduction in workforce is primarily driven by the intense competition in the German telecommunications market. Vodafone has lost market share in fixed-line and broadband services, compounded by the recent removal of the cable television ancillary service profit margin, which reignited competition for millions of TV customers.

Telefonica's O2, another major competitor, had already announced a stringent cost-cutting program last summer. The company plans to eliminate around 1,100 positions this year, equivalent to roughly one in six jobs, with employees voluntarily leaving through early retirement and severance packages. Additionally, 60 of O2's 800 stores will be closed.