- Verizon’s $20B Frontier acquisition got the FCC greenlight
- Approval comes just after the operator said it’s ending its DEI programs
- T-Mobile made a similar move to get its Lumos deal across the finish line
It’s official: Verizon got the greenlight on its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier and is ditching its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in the process.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a statement today approving the transaction, while noting Verizon has “committed to ending DEI-related practices.”
The move comes after the FCC in February launched a probe into Verizon (as well as Comcast) over its diversity practices. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has said he’s prepared to block M&A deals that promote “invidious” forms of DEI.
According to Carr, Verizon’s end of DEI promotion “will ensure that the combined business will enact policies and practices consistent with the law and the public interest.”
In a letter to the FCC dated May 15, Verizon said it’s been evaluating its DEI-related programs, HR processes, training programs and other initiatives amid the changing regulatory landscape.
“In doing so, Verizon recognizes that some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination,” wrote Vandana Venkatesh, Verizon EVP and Chief Legal Officer. “For that reason, Verizon reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination and is modifying its practices and ending its DEI-related policies.”
Indeed, Verizon’s original DEI page from April 3, 2025, (shown below) no longer exists. The company instead now has a page that states it’s “proud of our longstanding commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace,” sans any mention of the word “diversity” or statistics of diverse workers.
T-Mobile made a similar move following the FCC’s approval of its Lumos acquisition, where it updated its DEI policies along with the diversity page on its website.
Verizon in its letter said it will no longer have a team or any individual roles focused on DEI, and those employees will instead be responsible for “HR talent objectives.”
Other changes include removing references to DEI from employee training materials as well as its annual goal to increase the representation of women and minorities in its U.S. workforce.
Verizon added it will “not set quantitative goals for diverse spend” and that it will no longer require its suppliers to do the same.
Other telecom M&A deals on the horizon, like Charter’s newly announced acquisition of Cox, may also have to dial back their DEI initiative. Fierce could not immediately find a webpage on Charter’s DEI policy, however the company’s career page notes it provides “a supportive and inclusive workforce” that includes women, LBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and more.