Overview

• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Verizon's $20 billion merger with Frontier Communications on May 16, 2025.
• Verizon terminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs effective immediately, as outlined in a May 15 letter to the FCC.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr had warned Verizon that its DEI practices could block approval of the merger, citing concerns over 'invidious' discrimination.
• The merger enables Verizon to expand and upgrade Frontier's fiber network across 25 states, with plans to connect over one million homes annually.
• Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination while eliminating workforce diversity goals, supplier diversity metrics, and DEI-related roles.