T-Mobile has officially closed its joint venture deal with fiber provider Lumos, following the removal of its webpage dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The move comes after Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr threatened to block major deals, including T-Mobile's plan to acquire most of US Cellular, if companies failed to abandon their DEI practices.

The now-blank webpage, which outlined T-Mobile's "culture of fairness, respect, and inclusion," was taken down after Carr's warning. According to the Internet Archive, the page was online until at least March 26th. T-Mobile executive vice president Mark Nelson has already indicated that the company plans to comply with Carr's orders, stating in a March 27th letter to the FCC that the company is "conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies, programs, and activities."

Carr's stance on DEI policies has been met with resistance from Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee, who have opened an investigation into the FCC's use of time and resources on "bogus investigations." The committee's probe will examine the FCC's efforts to target companies with DEI practices, including Comcast, Verizon, and Disney, which have all been subject to Carr's scrutiny.

The Lumos deal, which received FCC approval on March 28th, marks a significant milestone for T-Mobile's expansion into the fiber market. However, the company's decision to drop its DEI policies has raised concerns about the impact on its workforce and business practices. T-Mobile has yet to comment on the removal of its DEI webpage or the implications of Carr's demands.

This development highlights the growing tension between the tech industry and regulatory bodies over issues of diversity and inclusion. As the FCC continues to exert pressure on companies to abandon their DEI practices, it remains to be seen how this will affect the industry's approach to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

In a broader context, this story underscores the complex interplay between business, politics, and social responsibility. As companies navigate the increasingly complex landscape of regulatory demands and social expectations, they must balance their business interests with their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.