Who Owns the Media: T-Mobile US
T-Mobile US 🐔🐔
Capitulation Rank: Compromising
Category: Telecommunications
Market Cap: $1.670 trillion
CEO & President Mike Sievert
T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert is eager for the Trump FCC to greenlight the sale of more public spectrum while it seeks the agency’s blessing of its proposed $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular.
One capitulation already on the books: The cellular giant “dissolved” its partnership with several civil-rights organizations that had helped the company develop inclusive corporate-governance practices.
In June 2024, T-Mobile struck a 10-year, $2.67 billion contract to provide the U.S. Department of the Navy with wireless solutions. It is also under contract for tens of millions of dollars in services for the Department of Veteran Affairs.
- DEI Doublespeak:
On its website, T-Mobile maintains its expressed commitment to DEI. However, in January 2025, it dropped the DEI council it consulted for governance advice. In March, T-Mobile sent the FCC a letter stating the company is “conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies, programs, and activities.” T-Mobile has since reportedly pared back DEI language on its website.
- What It Owns:
T-Mobile US is a subsidiary of German company Deutsche Telekom, the largest European telecommunications-services provider, which controls assets in numerous non-telecommunications services sectors throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. T-Mobile US offers mobile and fixed-wireless telecommunications services across the United States. At the end of 2024, the company reported 130 million wireless subscriptions. T-Mobile is also the parent company of numerous prepaid wireless carriers including Metro PCS, Mint Mobile, Tello Mobile and Ultra Mobile. It’s also the parent company of Assurance Wireless, the largest provider of Lifeline Program services.
- Money & Influence Game:
T-Mobile US paid lobbyists $9,049,000 in 2022, and T-Mobile employees made $1,570,508 in contributions to political candidates (2022 cycle). (SOURCE: Center for Responsive Politics)