The Federal Communications Commission has approved Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of fiber internet provider Frontier. This merger will enable Verizon to upgrade and expand Frontier’s fiber networks, bringing fiber internet to an estimated 1 million homes annually. The deal received approval after Verizon committed to discontinuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) related practices. In a letter to the FCC, Verizon’s chief legal officer outlined the company’s decision to eliminate DEI-focused HR roles, remove DEI references from employee training, and drop diversity goals in supplier and workforce representation. FCC Chair Brendan Carr had previously criticized companies with ongoing DEI policies and suggested such policies could hinder deal approvals. The merger also allows Verizon to reclaim some of its fiber operations previously sold to Frontier. This expansion aims to extend fiber internet access, including to rural communities, although federal funding to support rural broadband expansion faces challenges.
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