AT&T/T-Mobile Merger Receives Broad Organizational Support

The recently announced merger of AT&T and T-Mobile has received the support of dozens of organizations from across the country. Statements from technology, labor, and minority groups emphasize the boost to broadband, diversified workforce, and digital inclusion that would come with the larger telecommunications entity.

Melanie Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, lauded the merger's ability to bridge the digital divide:

"While many in the African American community have not been able to take part in this revolution through home broadband connections, they have been able to leverage the power of mobile broadband to propel them into the modern era of civic, social, and economic engagement. Therefore, because mobile solutions have become the preferred means of access for members of minority, low-income and underserved communities, we are optimistic towards the possibilities the AT&T/T-Mobile merger could bring."

The NAACP supports the merger for similar reasons:

"Since the inception of the NAACP's Economic Reciprocity Initiative (ERI), where major industries are graded, AT&T has been among the highest ranked in the telecommunications industry for its commitment to diversity in terms of procurement, philanthropy, promotion and hiring at the local, state and national level."

Making broadband more accessible to Spanish communities is also a key reason why the Hispanic Insititute has supported the merger:

"The proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile will move us closer to universal mobile broadband deployment. When we consider how essential mobile technology is to empowering communities, we conclude that this proposal is good for Hispanic America. It provides an opportunity to amplify the growth in mobile broadband adoption by both English and Spanish speaking Americans."

Overall, the merger will pave the way for a more diverse consumer base and also support diversity on the company's payroll. According to Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League:

"The pending merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA holds potential opportunity for an expanded, diverse workforce ... We plan to carefully observe the upcoming regulatory process and look forward to a transition that is guided by AT&T's commitment to diversity and equal opportunity. We have every reason to be optimistic."

According to Julius Hollis, Chief Executive Officer of Speed Matters' partner Alliance for Digital Equality, the merger will bring more opportunity to underserved communities:

"The merger of T-Mobile USA and AT&T will enable rapid broadband coverage for most of the nation — including many lower-income and rural communities that have been largely underserved — through an expanded 4G LTE deployment to 95% of the U.S. population within six years. This is a huge step forward in making President Obama's vision of reaching 98% of Americans a reality.

"What's more, wireless broadband has shown tremendous promise in bringing our communities of color into the digital age — something that an increasing number of studies and reports have shown we have got to improve upon if we are going to bridge the digital divide that exists in this country. This merger puts the right technologies into the communities that need it, at the right time... and at the right price."

National Urban League: ATT-T-Mobile Merger Holds Opportunities for Diversity

The Hispanic Institute Announces Support for Proposed Merger of AT&T and T-Mobile

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