KPN cuts 350 million euros in the coming years

KPN will remove approximately 350 million euros over the next three years to enable investment in the data network. Among other things, the mobile network needs to be updated in 5G, the company announced Wednesday during Investor Day. In order to save millions, the costs of manpower are reduced. KPN does not know exactly how many jobs are at stake Wednesday NRC

According to a spokesperson, the austerity measures do not translate directly into job losses. This is because internal and hired staff are reduced. We still do not know how this distribution works for its own staff. It is possible that some of the company's employees will be relocated. Currently, the telecommunications giant employs about 13,000 full-time people.

A reorganization was already expected as the company faced a decline in sales for some time. The Colombian-Italian Maximo Ibarra had to change that since April of this year. He replaced CEO Eelco Blok, who stepped down as chairman after seven years.

Also read the farewell interview with Eelco Blok: Seven years of proven sailing at the KPN

Great competitor due to the merger between Tele2 and T-Mobile

These five In recent years, KPN has already reduced its costs by 650 million euros by reducing staff costs. Last year, the telecommunications company received 300 million euros less than in 2016. According to KPN, this concerned for example the new EU rules prohibiting high costs for data roaming (Internet and calls abroad). More and more customers would also opt for a subscription typically reserved for SIM cards only, instead of a package with an appliance.

KPN wants to build a 5G network for higher speeds. KPN wants to increase investments in the new data network to 1.1 billion euros, according to the ANP press agency. Telecommunications companies are currently in the start-up phase of a newer and faster data network, which should also enable new applications in cars and agriculture.

The competitor T-Mobile also promised the mobile Internet so fast before 2020. This week it was announced that the company could merge with Tele2, giving KPN and VodafoneZiggo a serious competitor.