Proximus CEO Defends 15% Headcount Reduction as Key to Fiber Future

Belgian telecom leader Proximus has unveiled a major strategic overhaul that will see the elimination of 1,200 jobs by 2030.

Announced on February 27, 2026, during a presentation to investors, the plan aims to leverage artificial intelligence and automation to drive efficiency and reduce annual costs by approximately €180 million.

Proximus AI-Driven Restructuring and Job Impact

The reduction represents roughly 15% of Proximus’s current workforce.

CEO Stijn Bijnens clarified that the company will control and graduate the transformation, prioritizing natural attrition over compulsory redundancies.

Approximately 800 employees are expected to retire in the coming years and will not be replaced, particularly in “non-crucial” administrative and back-office roles where AI-driven workload reductions are most effective.

To mitigate social disruption, the company is committing to internal retraining programs, shifting staff from automated routine tasks to high-value digital roles.

Notably, technical specialists and sales personnel—positions currently difficult to fill in the Belgian labor market—will be spared from the cuts.

Financial Reset and Investor Reaction

The announcement triggered a sharp reaction in the markets, with Proximus shares plummeting nearly 20% in a single day.

The company reported a robust 15.5% rise in EBITDA to €2.3 billion for the previous year. However, investors were rattled by a significant 50% cut to the annual dividend.

The company reduced the payout from €0.60 to €0.30 per share to preserve capital for massive infrastructure investments.

Proximus plans to spend up to €1.25 billion annually on its fiber-optic rollout, aiming to cover 60% of Belgian households by 2035.

Management argues that the dividend reset and workforce reduction are essential “short-term pain” to ensure long-term financial flexibility and competitiveness against regional rivals like Telenet, which also recently announced a 10% staff reduction.

Global Strategy and Future Outlook

As part of its 2030 vision, Proximus is focusing on its international division to return to growth. This follows a recent €275 million impairment.

The group is also expanding its “Global Capability Centre” in Bengaluru, India, to support its digital transformation.

By 2028, the company expects to reduce external contractor costs by €25 million.

This will further streamline its operational footprint as it transitions into a “locally rooted digital infrastructure champion.”

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