T-Com - Deutsche Telekom's fixed network division - is to shed an extra 22,000 jobs over the next couple of years as it embarks on a massive restructuring to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Deutsche Telekom's decision comes as the telecoms industry continues to struggle with the ongoing slump in the industry. In a statement yesterday the German giant announced that 14,000 jobs are due to due to go next year, with a further 8,300 jobs to be shed before the end of 2005.

These job losses come on top of the 7,200 jobs which are due to go by the end of the year.The company said that the extensive round of job cuts would be completed without any compulsory redundancies.

Elsewhere, there are reports that France Telecom is to squeeze out ten per cent of its workforce. According to Le Figaro up to 11,000 people could lose their jobs. ®