Canadian telecommunications company BCE Inc. is cutting hundreds of jobs as it reduces costs to invest in its U.S. internet and artificial intelligence businesses. The company is eliminating 690 positions, which represents about one per cent of its total workforce, according to BCE spokesperson Ellen Murphy.
Restructuring for fiber and AI focus
“These changes are part of our ongoing business operations and reflect several initiatives, including the migration of customers to a more resilient, easier-to-maintain fiber network,” Murphy said in an email. The workforce reductions are due to “organizational changes” tied to a three-year plan BCE outlined during an investor day in October. Part of its strategy includes expanding its internet business and focusing on selling AI-related services, including new data centers.
Previous job cuts and controversies
This latest round of job cuts comes after BCE fired some employees it accused of falsifying office attendance records, according to Canadian media reports. The company also let go of about 700 employees in a restructuring announced in November. BCE’s Bell Media division owns BNN Bloomberg Television, which has a content partnership with Bloomberg LP.
