Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Germany
Region
Location of affected unit(s)
Sector
Information / Computing
61 - Telecommunication
61.1 - Wired, wireless, and satellite telecommunication activities
61.1 - Wired, wireless, and satellite telecommunication activities

1,000 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
9 July 2026
Employment effect (start)
9 July 2026
Foreseen end date

Description

O2 Telefónica Deutschland, the German subsidiary of the Spanish Telefónica Group operating in the telecommunications sector, has announced that more than 1,000 positions are expected to be eliminated, although no definitive completion date has yet been provided.

The restructuring follows the loss of its largest customer, 1&1, and forms part of a broader transformation programme aimed at safeguarding the company's long-term competitiveness. It also reflects wider pressures within the telecommunications industry, where growth opportunities in the mobile market are limited, competition remains intense, and the returns on network investments have become increasingly difficult to realise.

The workforce reductions are expected to be achieved primarily through voluntary departures and severance arrangements rather than compulsory redundancies. Management stated that it is currently discussing and assessing potential measures together with employee representatives.

The company employs approximately 6,820 people.


Citation

Eurofound (2026), O2 Telefónica Germany, Internal restructuring in Germany, factsheet number 300732, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/300732.