Verizon Ends DEI Policies to Secure $20B Frontier Deal, Expands Fiber Across 25 States

Verizon has dismantled its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as a strategic condition for obtaining Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval of its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications. The company ended DEI-related policies, removed associated performance incentives, and eliminated specialized HR teams focused on diversity, reaffirming its commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. Verizon’s Chief Legal Officer, Vandana Venkatesh, acknowledged that some DEI practices could be linked to discrimination and highlighted changes in the regulatory landscape as motivating factors. The FCC explicitly required Verizon to end DEI-related practices to approve the deal, emphasizing the combined entity’s need to align with legal and public interest standards. This move aligns with a broader trend of major tech firms reducing DEI initiatives amidst increased government scrutiny and challenges in effectively managing such programs. Industry analysts suggest that difficulties in measuring and managing DEI efforts contribute to this shift, with similar concessions made by companies like T-Mobile in recent acquisitions.