By the end of the year, mobile operator Virgin Media O2 plans to cut up to 2,000 UK positions, or 12% of its whole staff.
According to the BBC, the number includes 800 already-announced position cutbacks.
A firm representative recognised that transitional times “can be difficult”.
It follows announcements of job cuts by BT and Vodafone, two of its competitors, in May.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Media O2 stated:
“As we continue to integrate and transform as a company, we are currently consulting on proposals to simplify our operating model to better deliver for customers, which will see a reduction in some roles this year.”
The company, according to the spokeswoman, was assisting its employees as it held “open and honest conversations” about its future.
The Communication Workers Union stated that its members were experiencing “a tremendous amount of anxiety” as a result of the announcement and promised to take all necessary steps to prevent the layoffs.
