DEI scrapped from T-Mobile's teams, websites, communications, training materials
T-Mobile is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures as it seeks to get approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on two transactions.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr released on Wednesday a letter signed by Mark Nelson, Executive Vice President & General Counsel at T-Mobile, about the wireless carrier's plan to scrap DEI policies.
In the letter, T-Mobile said it is ending its DEI-related policies "not just in name, but in substance."
"T-Mobile will no longer have any roles or teams focused on DEI," Nelson said in the letter.
"T-Mobile is also removing any references to DEI in its websites and will ensure that company websites and future communications do not have any references to DEI."
According to Nelson, T-Mobile is also removing references to DEI from its employee training materials, and said it is opening up to all employees any training and mentorship programmes that were previously limited to "employees of a particular protected characteristic."
"T-Mobile will ensure that its training is consistent with guidance released by the US. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission addressing training that could facilitate discrimination in the workplace," the executive vice president added.
Nelson said the removal of its DEI policies follows a comprehensive review within the organisation.
"We recognise that the legal and policy landscape surrounding DEI under federal law has changed and we remain fully committed to ensuring that T-Mobile does not have any policies or practices that enable invidious discrimination, whether in fulfilment of DEI or any other purpose," he said.
He added that they previously described some aspects of their company culture and practices as DEI because they want to create a culture that makes employees feel supported.
"Our belief then and now is that skills, aptitude, and a growth mindset are what contribute to exceptional performance — and that merit is how you advance at our company, regardless of who you are or where you're from," Nelson said.
Carr acknowledged T-Mobile's move in a post on X.
"Another good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and the public interest," he said.
The FCC chair previously threatened to block mergers involving companies that are engaged in DEI.
"Any businesses that are looking for FCC approval, I would encourage them to get busy ending any sort of their invidious forms of DEI discrimination," Carr previously told Bloomberg News.
For T-Mobile, it is currently aiming to secure FCC approval for two major transactions: the acquisition of nearly all of US Cellular's wireless operations, and the purchase of internet service provider Metronet through a joint venture with KKR.
In May, Verizon's deal to buy broadband provider Frontier Communications received approval from the FCC after the telecommunications firm announced that it is ending its DEI policies.