T-Mobile’s Approach to Boosting Diversity throughout the Supply Chain

How T-Mobile placed diversity, equity and inclusion – including supplier diversity – at the heart of the combined business’s strategy. The telecoms company has had a supplier diversity programme in place since 2011, offering diverse suppliers support such as reduced payment terms, with significant success – spend with diverse suppliers rose by over 200% between 2017 and 2020 alone. But it renewed its efforts after its merger with Sprint in 2020, when new CEO Mike Sievert placed diversity, equity and inclusion – including supplier diversity – at the heart of the combined business’s strategy with T-Mobile’s Equity In Action Plan. Reflecting that, T-Mobile’s procurement team has since implemented new initiatives, with a focus on providing additional support for diverse suppliers, incentivising internal staff and encouraging diverse hiring practices in its wider supply base.