AT&T has adjusted its policies around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

According to a Dec. 1 letter shared on X, the company had been examining recent executive orders, Supreme Court rulings, and direction from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This has informed AT&T’s decision to dismantle “DEI-related policies.” The company also stated plainly that it “does not and will not have any roles focused on DEI.”

The letter further said AT&T will remove DEI training and career development as well as internal and external messaging to comply with the EEOC.

“AT&T has always stood for merit-based opportunity, and we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination today,” the letter mentioned. “Consistent with applicable law, our multi-pronged approach allows employees to thrive in an environment free from invidious discrimination.”

AT&T’s announcement follows its November 2024 agreement to purchase wireless spectrum licenses from UScellular for $1.02 billion, CNN reports. The agreement needs approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Trump administration has required DEI programs to be dismantled as a condition for approval.  

As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the administration struck down DEI initiatives at the federal level in January, with many corporations following suit to ensure their policies are in alignment.

AT&T isn’t the only wireless carrier terminating DEI efforts. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Verizon also shifted its stance on DEI. In May, Verizon Chief Legal Officer Vandana Venkatesh said in a letter that the company will continue its commitment to a “culture that leverages and values each person’s unique strengths and talents,” yet recognizes “that the regulatory and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (‘DEI’) has changed.”

One day after the letter was written, Verizon was approved to purchase Frontier Communications for $20 billion. This expanded Verizon’s reach to 25 states and guaranteed it could deploy fiber to more than 1 million American homes every year, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a press release.

AT&T and Verizon join a growing list of companies to scale back on DEI. This includes Amazon, Meta, McDonald’s, and Lowe’s, Fox Business reports.