AT&T's $1 billion spectrum purchase was approved after the company seemingly gave in to demands from Trump and Carr.

Telecom and broadcasting companies have learned that regulatory approvals often depend on maintaining positive relationships with the administration and the FCC. In 2024, AT&T sought FCC approval for its agreement to acquire 1,250 million MHz-Pops of 3.45 GHz spectrum and 331 million MHz-Pops of 700 MHz B/C block licenses from UScellular, valued at $1.02 billion.

The FCC has increasingly required telecom carriers to end DEI programs to secure transaction approvals. Recently, the agency approved AT&T's spectrum acquisition from UScellular. According to the FCC, led by Brendan Carr, the deal will improve AT&T's network coverage, capacity, and performance, benefiting customers.

The Rural Wireless Association (RWA) opposed the approval, citing concerns about potential price increases for wireless plans and roaming difficulties for customers. The RWA fears the approval will worsen a "trend of consolidation that harms competition and disserves the public interest," especially in rural areas.

Previously, T-Mobile agreed to eliminate its DEI policies to gain FCC approval for its $4.4 billion purchase of 4.5 million UScellular customers, retail stores, and 30% of UScellular's spectrum licenses. The FCC approved the deal in August. Verizon also discontinued its DEI programs to secure approval for its purchase of Frontier Communications in May.

Earlier this year, FCC Chairman Carr expressed concern over NBC News' DEI policies, raising industry worries. He also scrutinized EchoStar, which owned Boost Mobile, regarding its 5G buildout progress. Carr threatened an investigation into EchoStar's compliance and criticized the company for hoarding spectrum, particularly its 2GHz airwaves desired by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Ultimately, EchoStar sold some of its spectrum to AT&T for $23 billion and to SpaceX for $17 billion. This impacted Boost Mobile's plans to become a major wireless firm, leading to the shutdown of its standalone 5G network buildout. Boost will now operate as a hybrid Mobile Network Operator (MNO), with its core network connecting to AT&T's nationwide network.