BT Group to cut up to 55,000 jobs

The move is part of plans to slash costs and overhaul its workforce

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BT Group has said it will cut between 40,000 and 55,000 jobs by the end of the decade as part of plans to slash costs and overhaul its workforce.

The telecoms giant currently has around 130,000 employees but plans to reduce that number to less than 90,000 by the end of the 2020s, a spokesperson said.

But it could see up to 55,000 roles cut over the five to seven-year period.

The company said it wants to rely on a "much smaller workforce" and a reduced cost base, and to digitise its processes.

BT said that once its full fibre broadband and 5G network is rolled out, it will not need as many staff to build and maintain the network. Philip Jansen, BT Group Chief Executive, said: ""By continuing to build and connect like fury, digitise the way we work and simplify our structure, by the end of the 2020s BT Group will rely on a much smaller workforce and a significantly reduced cost base. New BT Group will be a leaner business with a brighter future."

BT Group, formerly known as British Telecom, is a multinational telecommunications company based in the United Kingdom. It is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions. BT operates in more than 180 countries and offers a wide range of services, including fixed-line telephone services, broadband internet, mobile communications, and IT services.

BT Group has a long history that dates back to the establishment of the General Post Office (GPO) in 1868. The GPO later became the Post Office Telecommunications division and eventually transformed into British Telecom in 1980. Over the years, BT expanded its services and infrastructure, becoming a major player in the telecommunications industry.

In addition to its consumer services, BT Group also serves corporate and government customers, providing them with solutions such as network connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, and managed IT services. The company operates through various divisions, including BT Consumer, BT Enterprise, BT Global, and Openreach.

BT Group has been involved in several significant developments in the telecommunications industry, such as the deployment of fiber-optic broadband networks and the introduction of new technologies like 5G. The company has also faced regulatory and competitive challenges in the market, which have shaped its operations and strategies.