AT&T (T) has committed to ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, a step taken as it seeks FCC approval for its $1.02 billion purchase of wireless spectrum licenses from U.S. Cellular.
In an FCC filing, the U.S. wireless carrier said, “The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) policies and programs has changed. We have closely followed the recent Executive Orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and have adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies as described below, not just in name but in substance.”
“AT&T does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI.”
The move aligns with Trump administration directives, under which the FCC requires telecom companies to end DEI programs as a condition for approving transactions.
It mirrors similar actions by other carriers: T-Mobile US (TMUS) said it was ending its DEI programs while pursuing two major transactions, and Verizon (VZ) agreed to do the same before the FCC approved its $20 billion acquisition of fiber-optic internet provider Frontier Communications (FYBR).