STOCKHOLM, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Swedish telecom operator Telia Company will cut 1,500 jobs this year, more than previously planned, chief executive Allison Kirkby told Reuters on Thursday, as part of a years-long cost-cutting plan.

Since 2021, Telia, which employs about 20,000 regular staff and consultants, has been reducing 1,000 positions every year.

The news comes as the company reported a roughly unchanged fourth-quarter core profit and proposed a lowered dividend.

She said the company may increase prices to offset inflationary pressures. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm; editing by Josephine Mason)