Singtel Optus will cut 440 employees from its workforce in the next two months as the telecommunications company turns to digitisation and automation in an increasingly competitive mobile environment putting pressure on revenues.

The telco's staff were told on Wednesday morning, in an email and meetings, about the changes to the workforce which were blasted as a disgrace by the union. The overall impact on the business' headcount is so far unclear as some additional roles are expected to be created.

Optus has told staff it will be cutting another 440 people from the telco's ranks.

An Optus spokesman told Fairfax Media the telecommunications company had made the cuts as part of turning the business into a "mobile-led, digital service provider".

"As we continue to evolve the way we work, do business and fund future investments we are removing duplication, improving our operating efficiency and embracing next-generation technologies, like digitisation and automation to achieve this goal," he said.