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
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Apple and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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