09.11.2026 17:05
Telecom giant Vodafone is undergoing a comprehensive restructuring in Germany. The company, which has approximately 12,000 employees, plans to lay off or reassign 2,300 people over the next two years. About one in every five employees will be affected by the process, which is also part of an AI-supported transformation.
Vodafone, one of the world's leading telecommunications companies, has taken action to reduce costs and reshape its organizational structure in its German operations. Under the plan prepared after customer losses and increasingly fierce competition, thousands of employees are expected to be laid off or transferred to different units.
ONE IN EVERY 5 EMPLOYEES WILL BE AFFECTED
Vodafone Germany is planning a significant downsizing of its workforce of approximately 12,000 people. According to the restructuring program announced by the company, approximately 2,300 employees will be laid off or moved to other positions over the next two years. This figure corresponds to approximately 19 percent of the total staff.
The staff reduction is expected to be concentrated particularly in management and administrative positions. Units remaining from Unitymedia, which Vodafone acquired in the past and which carry out similar tasks, will also be affected by the restructuring.
AI-SUPPORTED TRANSFORMATION BEGINS
Artificial intelligence technologies also hold an important place in the company's savings plan. Vodafone aims to transform its sales, customer service, and corporate processes into a more integrated structure with AI support. In this way, it aims to reduce operational costs and simplify business processes.
Savings from personnel expenses and other operational areas are planned to be directed toward fiber infrastructure, cloud computing, corporate security, and digital customer channels.
REMARKABLE STATEMENT FROM THE CEO
Marcel de Groot, CEO of Vodafone Germany, stated that the change taking place in the telecommunications sector is forcing companies to make new decisions. Emphasizing that competitive conditions are becoming increasingly difficult, de Groot said, "The methods that worked in the past do not guarantee our success tomorrow."
COMPETITOR WILL ALSO LAY OFF 1,100 PEOPLE
Austerity measures in Germany's telecommunications sector have not been limited to Vodafone. Increased competition following the amendment to the cable television law has led other companies to make downsizing decisions as well.
O2 Telefonica, one of Vodafone's competitors, had also announced that it would part ways with 1,100 employees and close 60 stores by the end of the year. Thus, under the plans announced by the two companies, a total of 3,400 employees are expected to be laid off or affected by a change of duties.