AT&T has officially removed its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as part of its effort to secure regulatory approval for its planned $1.02 billion spectrum acquisition from U.S. Cellular.
The change was disclosed in a formal commitment submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where AT&T stated it would no longer maintain DEI-focused roles, programs, or internal initiatives. The company confirmed that hiring, promotions, training, and compensation decisions will now be based strictly on merit and job-related qualifications.
AT&T also said it has eliminated DEI-related language from employee training materials, corporate messaging, and internal documentation. According to the company, the decision follows a review of recent legal developments and federal guidance related to employment practices.
The FCC approved the spectrum deal after reviewing AT&T’s commitments. The acquisition will allow AT&T to strengthen its wireless network by adding mid-band spectrum assets, which are expected to improve coverage, capacity, and overall 5G performance in several markets.
This move places AT&T alongside other major U.S. carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile, which have also scaled back or ended DEI programs while seeking regulatory clearance for large transactions. The trend reflects a broader shift in how telecom companies are navigating regulatory scrutiny under the current policy environment.
While AT&T described the changes as a compliance-focused decision tied to the approval process, the move has sparked debate among industry observers regarding the role of DEI initiatives in large corporations.
Discover More $Billion UScellular Deal: AT&T Drops Diversity Policy
Discover more from Phoonomo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
