AT&T commits to ending DEI programs while seeking government approval
In a significant shift in corporate policy, AT&T has announced the termination of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, a decision aimed at securing favor with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the company awaits approval for a billion-dollar spectrum license purchase made in 2024. This decision follows a broader trend among telecommunications companies, influenced by the current FCC leadership under Chairman Brendan Carr, who has been vocal in his opposition to DEI initiatives. In a letter to the FCC, AT&T stated, “The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion (‘DEI’) policies and programs has changed,” asserting a renewed commitment to merit-based opportunities and equal employment without the influence of DEI frameworks.
AT&T’s move is not an isolated incident; it mirrors actions taken by competitors like Verizon and T-Mobile, both of which have similarly dismantled their DEI programs in pursuit of lucrative FCC approvals. Verizon, for instance, ended its DEI policies earlier this year to facilitate a $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, while T-Mobile followed suit shortly after. These decisions highlight a troubling trend where major corporations are prioritizing short-term financial gains over long-term commitments to diversity and inclusion. Critics, including FCC Democrat Anna Gomez, have condemned these actions, warning that abandoning fairness and inclusion could tarnish corporate reputations for years to come.
This shift raises important questions about the future of DEI initiatives in corporate America and the implications for communities that benefit from these programs. AT&T has historically positioned itself as a leader in affordable connectivity projects, making strides to bridge the digital divide, particularly among Indigenous communities. The dismantling of DEI efforts could jeopardize these commitments and undermine progress toward equitable access to technology. As the telecommunications sector navigates this changing landscape, the balance between regulatory compliance and social responsibility remains a contentious issue, with potential repercussions for both the companies involved and the communities they serve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k79NK3ik9sU
AT&T
confirmed it will be terminating its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs as a bid to win Federal Communications Commission (FCC) favor.
The telecommunications giant has been awaiting FCC approval on a billion dollar
spectrum license purchase
made in 2024, and made a commitment to scaling back its DEI efforts earlier this year. According to a
letter sent to the agency
, AT&T has shuttered any and all roles, employee groups, and programs related to DEI policies.
SEE ALSO:
AI safety report: Only 3 models make the grade
“The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion (‘DEI’) policies and programs has changed,” wrote the company. “AT&T has always stood for merit-based opportunity, and we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination today.”
It’s not the first mobile carrier to acquiesce to the administration’s anti-woke crusade. The FCC, headed by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, has been on a concerted mission to
eliminate DEI programs
across the telecommunications sector, including pressuring companies to terminate their commitments in order to win approval from the agency.
In May,
Verizon ended its DEI policies
to win a $20 billion bid for ownership of broadband provider Frontier Communications, which included removing all DEI language from internal and external materials, ending diversity hiring bonuses, and dissolving human resources departments dedicated to DEI. Competitor
T-Mobile made the same compromise
in July, terminating DEI programs to win two deals with the FCC.
Carr has previously
launched anti-DEI probes
of major entertainment and broadcast companies, including Disney and ABC, as well as publicly-funded media, like NPR and PBS. In addition, the agency has
slashed at affordable broadband
and fiber-optic plans, which predominately help l
ow-income and rural communities
, as part of the Trump administration’s attack on Biden-Harris equity projects.
AT&T has also been a leader in affordable connectivity projects, including bringing
fiber-optic broadband internet to Indigenous communities
and explicit commitments to closing the digital divide.
“Companies should remember that abandoning fairness and inclusion for short-term gain will be a stain to their reputation long into the future,” said FCC Democrat Anna Gomez in a statement following AT&T’s announcement.
