In 2026, 4 telecom companies have cut a combined 26,698 jobs, averaging 9.6% of workforce per company.
Telecom layoffs reflect weak 5G demand and ongoing cost restructuring. Ericsson's Swedish workforce cuts and Telefonica's multi-unit redundancy plan signal that the expected 5G revenue boom has not materialized as projected.
| Company | People Cut | % of Workforce | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokia | 14,000 | 18.9% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Telefonica | 6,000 | 6.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Verizon | 3,000 | 3.3% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Ericsson | 1,600 | 12.7% | WEAK DEMAND | |
| Bell Canada | 690 | 1.8% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Verizon | 621 | 0.7% | AI-DRIVEN | |
| Sunrise | 450 | 15.5% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Cambium Networks | 260 | 53.5% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| T-Mobile | 77 | 0.1% | RESTRUCTURE |