Proximus to cut 1,200 jobs by 2030 with new focus on AI

Telecoms operator Proximus is planning to slash 1,200 full-time jobs between now and 2030, according to the company’s new strategic plans.

There is no redundancy plan yet in place, but Proximus plans to only partially replace people who leave their jobs or retire.

The company, which is majority-owned by the Belgian state, aims to "reinvent its operating model and focus on efficiency through simplification and AI (artificial intelligence) in order to reduce the workload", it said.

Its plans refer to three strategic points: customer services, infrastructure (such as fibre and 5G) and simplification of operating methods.

The goal is to integrate artificial intelligence into the various processes. For example, 20% of call centre operations will be carried out by a chatbot, without human intervention.

Proximus claimed that the cutting of 1,200 jobs over the next four years will be done "without social disruption" because at least 800 of the lost jobs will be from people who retire and are simply not replaced.

The company is also counting on "natural turnover". By 2030, Proximus expects 1,000 voluntary departures, meaning people who decide to change jobs.

Of these combined 1,800 positions, one third of the departures will therefore be replaced, or 600 positions.

The plan was agreed upon with the trade unions, who said that while they were delighted that compulsory lay-offs have been avoided, the workload borne by Proximus employees remains unchanged.

The CGSP union said it will remain vigilant about the consequences of the plan on the workload for employees who remain.

It will mainly be people in what are considered "non-essential" functions who will not be replaced at Proximus in the coming years.

Salespeople and engineers, for example, are not affected, as these profiles are difficult to find on the market.

Proximus employs about 13,000 people, according to its website.

In Belgium, it aims to become “a local champion of digital infrastructure by 2030, supported by trusted brands that appeal to all generations and all sectors”, according to chief executive Stijn Bijnens.

The workforce in Belgium will have to be reduced by 15% in total over the next few years to meet the company’s down-sizing goal, although Proximus sees scope for further reductions in its workforce after that point.

The federal minister responsible for public enterprises, Vanessa Matz (Les Engagés), said in an official response that the strategy revealed by Proximus “is part of a transformation already under way in response to changing digital habits, increased competition and major investments in fibre and mobile networks”.

The decision not to replace natural departures was made several years ago, she added.

For the international division, which recently recorded a depreciation of €275 million, a path has been mapped out to "return to growth".

Shareholders will receive lower dividends in the coming years. For the 2025 financial year, they will receive a gross dividend of €0.60 per share, but for the 2026 financial year, the amount will be halved to €0.30. Proximus then plans to increase this to €0.40 for the 2027 financial year and €0.50 for 2028.

Proximus achieved a turnover of more than €6.6 billion last year, 1.2% more than in 2024. Net profit fell by 11% to €398 million.

“We ended the year on a strong note, with results in line with our annual forecasts,” said Bijnens.

Shares in the telecoms company opened lower at the end of last week following the announcement of its plan to cut jobs, falling 17%.