Optus plays down reports of massive job cuts

Optus has denied media reports the telecom giant will axe about 1,000 jobs in an effort to help fund its bid to buy exclusive broadcast rights. 

The Australian reported the company was considering the job cuts as part of a wide-ranging cost-cutting exercise by CEO Allen Lew, as the telco works to fund its deal for exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the English Premier League (EPL) from next season on.

The newspaper claimed the job culls would be part of a three-year plan due to start next month.

However, in a statement issued this morning, Optus denied the reports and said the company “does not have plans to make 1,000 roles redundant.”

“We will need to make further changes to the way we organise ourselves to help support our business goals, but we have no specific changes to share right now.”