Canadian telecom giant BCE Inc. announced a workforce trim of 690 positions, about 1 % of its staff, as it pivots toward artificial intelligence and a resilient fiber network. The cuts follow a prior November restructuring that eliminated roughly 700 jobs, tightening the company’s cost base ahead of a three‑year investment plan unveiled at an October investor day.

CEO Ellen Murphy said the layoffs stem from ‘organizational changes’ linked to the plan, which targets expansion of the U.S. internet arm and the launch of new data centers to sell AI‑related services. The shift aims to replace legacy hardware with a lower‑maintenance fiber backbone that can support higher‑speed, lower‑latency traffic.

The announcement follows a recent wave of firings over falsified attendance records, adding pressure on BCE’s human‑resource strategy. By trimming redundant roles, the company hopes to free capital for its AI and network upgrades, potentially positioning it ahead of competitors in the North American broadband market.

Investors will watch BCE’s quarterly earnings for signs of cost savings and revenue growth from its AI services. The company’s Bell Media unit, owner of BNN Bloomberg Television, remains a separate entity that could influence advertising revenue streams amid the restructuring.