T-Mobile Ends DEI Programs Amid FCC Approval for Major Deals

T-Mobile has informed the FCC that it will end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, redirecting those employees to focus on employee culture and engagement. This decision comes as the company awaits approval for two major deals, including a $4.4 billion acquisition of United States Cellular's wireless operations and a joint venture with KKR to acquire Metronet's broadband infrastructure. T-Mobile's move follows growing pressure from the Trump administration and a review of its current policies.

T-Mobile US Inc. has announced it will discontinue its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and redirect resources to focus on employee culture and engagement. This decision comes as the company awaits approval for two major deals: a $4.4 billion acquisition of United States Cellular's wireless operations and a joint venture with KKR to acquire Metronet's broadband infrastructure. The move follows growing pressure from the Trump administration and a review of the company's current policies.

T-Mobile's decision to halt DEI programs is a response to demands from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who has indicated that merger deals will not be approved without such steps. The company has conducted a comprehensive review of its policies, programs, and activities and has ended its DEI-related policies "in name and substance," according to a letter to Carr dated July 8. The wireless carrier has also redirected the employees who previously focused on DEI policies to concentrate on employee culture and engagement instead. Furthermore, T-Mobile is scrubbing any references to DEI from its website and future communications.

Earlier this year, Carr stated that the FCC was prepared to block mergers and acquisition proposals from companies that promote "invidious" DEI policies. There are currently deals worth billions of dollars in the communications sector awaiting the FCC's approval, including T-Mobile's planned purchase of US Cellular Corp.'s wireless operations and some of its spectrum assets. T-Mobile is also awaiting FCC approval to buy fiber-optic internet service provider Metronet through a joint venture with KKR & Co.

This move by T-Mobile is part of a broader trend in the industry, where companies are reassessing their DEI policies in response to regulatory pressure. The decision to halt DEI programs could have implications for the company's long-term strategy and employee satisfaction, but it may also be a necessary step to secure the regulatory approval needed for its acquisitions.

References:
[1] https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/09/business/t-mobile-diversity-fcc-talking-points/
[2] https://www.lightreading.com/regulatory-politics/t-mobile-scraps-dei-policies-as-it-seeks-approval-on-uscellular-and-metronet-deals