- T-Mobile told the FCC that it will end its DEI programs “not just in name, but in substance”
- The move comes as it awaits regulatory approval of two deals: UScellular and MetroNet
- FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez blasted T-Mobile for “making a mockery” of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination
Just like that, T-Mobile is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs to get two big deals OK’d by regulators.
In a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr on Tuesday, T-Mobile said it will end its DEI programs as it seeks regulatory approval for its UScellular and MetroNet transactions.
“We have conducted a comprehensive review of T-Mobile’s policies, program, and activities, and pursuant to this review, T-Mobile is ending its DEI-related policies … not just in name, but in substance,” T-Mobile EVP and General Counsel Mark Nelson told the chairman in the letter made public Wednesday.
Nelson said T-Mobile recognizes the legal and policy landscape surrounding DEI has changed under federal law and “we remain fully committed to ensuring that T-Mobile does not have any policies or practices that enable invidious discrimination, whether in fulfillment of DEI or any other purpose,” Nelson wrote.
A “handful” of T-Mobile employees who focused on diversity and inclusion will be redirected within Human Resources to focus on “employee culture and engagement,” he said.
Other changes include no longer having individual roles or teams focused on DEI, removing references to DEI from employee training materials and eliminating references to DEI on its websites.
Gomez blasts T-Mobile
The FCC is currently composed of Carr, a Trump loyalist and Republican; newly seated Republican Olivia Trusty, whose first meeting was June 26; and Anna Gomez, a Democrat.
In a statement posted on social media, Gomez said T-Mobile “is making a mockery of its professed commitment to eliminating discrimination, promoting fairness, and amplifying underrepresented voices.”
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies are rooted in fairness and equal opportunity. They were created to fight discrimination – not promote it. Anyone claiming otherwise is distorting the truth to justify and reward discriminatory behavior,” Gomez said.
UScellular, Metronet deals
Nelson told the FCC earlier this year that the company was conducting a “comprehensive review” of its DEI policies. That apparently was enough to get its acquisition of fiber-to-the-home provider Lumos over the finish line. The FCC gave its blessing to that transaction in March.
With that “comprehensive review” now complete, T-Mobile hopes to get the green light for two other big transactions: the acquisition of most of UScellular’s wireless operations and a separate deal to create a joint venture with KKR to acquire Metronet.
T-Mobile has said it expects to close the UScellular deal by mid-2025, which judging by the calendar, would be right about now. But it has faced resistance from consumer advocacy groups that say T-Mobile’s purchase of UScellular’s spectrum should be combined and considered with two other big spectrum buys of its spectrum by Verizon and AT&T.