
ISPs Bow to FCC: Mergers OK’d Only If DEI Policies Are Dropped!
2025-05-19
Author: Kai
A Game-Changing Year for Telecom Mergers
Big moves are happening in the telecom world! The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is fast-tracking mergers—provided involved ISPs ditch their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Verizon just scored a major merger with Frontier, and Charter is eyeing a deal to acquire Cox.
FCC Chair Carr Takes a Hard Stance on DEI
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has made it clear: mergers are on the table, but firms must abandon their DEI initiatives, which he has labeled as "discriminatory." In a recent approval announcement, Verizon agreed to end its DEI practices—just a day after the merger was greenlit. Carr boasted, "This is a significant step toward equal opportunity and nondiscrimination."
Verizon’s Response: A Shift in Policy
Verizon’s commitment to eliminating DEI policies follows scrutiny over how these initiatives operate in practice. Their recent filing with the FCC outlines their plans to revamp their practices, including restructuring their leadership and HR processes. Notably, the telecom giant will no longer focus on DEI, shifting employees to other areas.
T-Mobile Follows Suit
Not wanting to be left behind, T-Mobile echoed similar sentiments, promising to review its DEI policies in light of this changing landscape. They too faced swift FCC approval for a merger involving fiber provider Lumos.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era in Telecom?
Now that Verizon and T-Mobile have cleared their merger hurdles, attention turns to Charter's ambitious $34.5 billion merger with Cox. This would position Charter as the largest home internet provider in the U.S., surpassing Comcast. However, Carr’s critical view of diversity programs may mean more cuts are coming.
Backlash Against Verizon's Changes
Critics are not holding back. Media advocates slammed Verizon's decision as "cowardly," arguing that surrendering to political pressure undermines fundamental civil rights gains. Free Press Vice President Matt Wood stated, "The company meekly suggests that some of its DEI policies could be associated with discrimination, signaling a distressing capitulation to the current administration."
Future Concerns: What’s Next for Charter/Cox?
As Charter and Cox push forward, concerns are raised about how their merger could lead to further censorship and a rollback of media diversity. Advocacy groups warn that the regulatory landscape under the Trump administration could pave the way for companies to compromise their standards to appease political pressures.
A Tipping Point for Corporate Accountability?
The FCC wields significant power over media mergers and regulation, and with the current climate, the stakes have never been higher. Will corporate giants continue to bend to external pressures, sacrificing their commitments to social progress for a quicker merger pathway?
Only time will tell how this tumultuous shift in the telecom world plays out, but one thing is for certain: the implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate America are profound as we venture into this unprecedented era.