Vodafone reveals plans to axe 150 workers

12 Dec 2008

The harsh economic climate has been cited as the reason behind Vodafone’s decision to axe 150 jobs following an operations review, it emerged today.

Ireland’s largest mobile operator Vodafone said the cuts will be voluntary.

In the most recent Vodafone results, the company’s Irish operations’ fixed-line and DSL business added a further 76,621 customers, boosting Vodafone’s total telecoms base to 2.31 million at the end of September.

However, falling average revenue per user (ARPU) levels are impacting all operators in all markets, and companies are working to replace falling revenue with increased earnings from data and other services.

In its most recent financials last month, Vodafone Group reported half one revenues of £19.9bn sterling, up 17.1pc.

Vodafone Ireland today confirmed that it has commenced an organisational review of its operations “in order to compete effectively in an increasingly challenging economic environment.”

The company said it has advised staff and unions it is to seek 150 redundancies, and it hopes to achieve them through a voluntary redundancy programme.

It is expected that the consultation process will take one month.

“The company is committed to working with the unions and employees throughout this period,” Vodafone stated.

Currently, the company employs 1,500 staff and has its headquarters in Sandyford.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com