'We don't have to roll back anything'

AT&T CEO John Stankey is making headlines with the announcement of a major new fiber deal with Lumen Technologies. The $5.75 billion acquisition is set to bolster AT&T’s fiber business and provide bundled packages to consumers, ultimately driving higher prices for mobile and broadband services.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Finance, Stankey emphasized AT&T’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He stated that the company’s policies have always been focused on progressing employees based on merit and providing opportunities for growth and success. Stankey made it clear that AT&T values creating a workplace where every employee feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to thrive.

The deal with Lumen Technologies aligns with the Trump administration’s goals of creating US jobs and investing in infrastructure to enhance the country’s competitiveness. By acquiring Lumen’s fiber business, AT&T will expand its reach in key metro markets and aim to reach 60 million households with fiber by 2030.

Analysts view the deal positively, with KeyBanc Capital Markets telecom analyst Brandon Nispel noting that it provides AT&T with additional footprint to build fiber and drive a converged bundle offering. While the deal is not expected to have an immediate impact on sales and earnings, AT&T anticipates long-term benefits from the acquisition.

In contrast to some of its competitors, AT&T is not planning to roll back its DEI initiatives to gain approval for the deal. Verizon and T-Mobile have recently faced scrutiny for scaling back their DEI efforts to secure acquisitions in the fiber business. Stankey expressed confidence in AT&T’s responsible business practices and emphasized the strategic benefits of the deal.