Mobile phone giant Orange is in negotiations with third-party call centre operators in India to take over some calls during busy periods.
But the company has stressed that these deals will not lead to job losses or call centre closures.
Staff were told in February that the company wanted to contract out some phone calls during busy periods.
Last week they were told that the company was now in negotiations with at least two potential third-party operators, including a call centre in India.
The firm, which employs a total of 6,000 people in Britain with call centres in Plymouth, Bristol, Darlington, North Tyneside and Peterlee, has insisted this will not affect staffing levels.
Graeme Nixon, Orange's customer services director, said: "We're in discussions with two potential partners to develop a small proportion of their call handling.
"We've agreed in principle that they'll support us using their call centres in the UK and India and we'll start trials with them in the coming months.
"I can firmly say that the steps we are currently taking will not lead to any site closures or redundancies in Orange's own call centres. In fact, we're currently recruiting staff in the North-East."
{{/usCountry}}"I can firmly say that the steps we are currently taking will not lead to any site closures or redundancies in Orange's own call centres. In fact, we're currently recruiting staff in the North-East."
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