In 2023, T-Mobile experienced remarkable growth driven by its mission to be the best at connecting customers to their world. As a leading wireless and broadband provider, T-Mobile recognizes the direct impact of its actions on people's lives and leverages its network, resources, and scale to influence positive change for customers, employees, communities, and the planet. Its recently published Corporate Social Responsibility Report speaks to its mission and shares hard numbers on its progress.
“At T-Mobile, we’ve transformed into a leading wireless and broadband provider giving us the momentum to influence positive change for people, communities and our planet, said Brigitta Witt, vice president of social impact and sustainability at T-Mobile . We’re proud that we’ve connected nearly 6 million underserved students through Project 10Million and our educational programs and donated $1.5 billion through our business, the T-Mobile Foundation and employee giving programs. Our commitment to sustainability is also unmatched in our industry — we were the first and only U.S. wireless company to commit to becoming net-zero, running all of our operations on 100% renewable electricity, while reducing our carbon footprint by 14% in just the last year alone."
Community Impact
T-Mobile focuses its community engagement efforts on three key areas: closing the digital divide, investing in local and rural communities, and empowering employees to give back to causes they care about. In 2023, the company provided more than $1.5 billion in cash and in-kind donations through its business and the T-Mobile Foundation to support communities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
T-Mobile's 5G network currently reaches over 330 million people, or 98% of the U.S. population. However, the company acknowledges the persistent digital divide and invests heavily in initiatives like Project 10Million, which has provided over $6.4 billion in products and services to connect nearly 6 million student households with free or highly reduced connectivity.
The cost of connectivity plays a significant role in the digital divide in America. Many low-income households struggle to afford the high costs associated with internet service and devices, which can create barriers to accessing critical online resources, educational The price of broadband internet service can be prohibitively expensive for many households, especially those with limited financial resources. In some areas, particularly in rural or underserved communities, there may be a lack of competition among internet service providers, leading to higher prices and fewer affordable options. In some cases, the high cost of building and maintaining broadband infrastructure in certain areas can lead to higher service prices or a lack of availability, further exacerbating the digital divide. As government programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program, come to an end, it is even more critical that T-Mobile remains focused on connecting the unconnected.
In times of crisis, T-Mobile's commitment to connectivity shines through. The company's Enterprise Business Continuity Program enables effective planning and preparation to respond quickly to a wide variety of events and prepare for high-volume network traffic. In 2023, T-Mobile expanded its community support fleet with new, fully-loaded RV command centers and heavy-duty Wi-Fi and charging-equipped response vehicles, strategically located across the U.S. to provide support within 12 hours of an event occurring.
During the disastrous wildfires in Maui in August 2023, T-Mobile swiftly deployed services to connect people with loved ones and provided resources to support community rebuilding and recovery efforts. The company's emergency response teams assessed the damage, repaired local fiber connections, and set up portable cell equipment, backup generators, and Wi-Fi hotspots to restore connectivity. T-Mobile also distributed activated phones, Wi-Fi hotspots, and critical supplies to evacuees and personnel, while offering unlimited talk, text, and data to all customers with Maui addresses for the rest of the month. Employees and customers came together to donate over $250,000 to support Maui relief efforts through T-Mobile's text-to-give campaign.
Empowering employees to give back to their communities is another key aspect of T-Mobile's community engagement strategy. The company's Employee Matching Program matches employee donations to eligible non-profits and schools, amplifying the impact of their contributions. T-Mobile also encourages employee volunteerism through its Huddle Up Volunteer Grants program, which provides funding to non-profits where employees regularly volunteer.
In 2023, the company, its Foundation, and employees provided more than $1.5 billion in funding and in-kind products and services to support various initiatives, relief efforts, and volunteer and matching-gift programs.
Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2040
T-Mobile has set an ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions across its entire carbon footprint by 2040, making it the first in the U.S. wireless industry to do so. This commitment demonstrates T-Mobile's dedication to being a force for goo by focusing on areas where it can drive change and have a positive impact on the environment through its business operations.
T-Mobile's approach to reaching net-zero emissions is guided by a comprehensive strategy that focuses on the areas where the company can make the most significant difference and have the greatest impact by 2040. Since announcing its net-zero goal, T-Mobile has already made notable progress, achieving a 30% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions between 2020 and the end of 2023. These reductions are the result of the company's efforts to improve energy efficiency across its operations, source renewable energy equivalent to 100% of its total purchased electricity, and engage with suppliers across its value chain to identify emissions hotspots.
To ensure effective implementation and oversight of its net-zero strategy, T-Mobile has strengthened its governance structure through its executive ESG Steering Committee and Sustainability Working Group. The company also reports on its progress annually through its Pathway to Net-Zero report, CDP Climate Change response, and GRI and SASB indices, with its energy and emissions data undergoing an annual assurance process.
T-Mobile has identified three key focus areas where it can leverage its technology, resources, partnerships, and scale to amplify its impact and reach its net-zero goal:
1. Energy: T-Mobile is committed to driving the transition to sustainable energy at scale. By improving energy efficiency and using renewable sources, the company aims to reduce the emissions associated with powering its offices, 5G network, and the production processes its suppliers use to manufacture devices for customers.
2. Circularity: With millions of customers using millions of products to stay connected, T-Mobile recognizes the importance of promoting a sustainable product lifecycle. By incorporating principles of circularity, the company aims to transform the lifecycle of its products, resulting in products and materials that are used longer or repurposed into new products, thereby reducing emissions associated with manufacturing and disposal.
3. Resources: T-Mobile is focused on conserving natural resources and reducing waste across its value chain. By using only what is needed and being smart about resource use, the company can lower emissions across its value chain and beyond, reducing extraction, manufacturing, and waste disposal emissions while supporting ecosystems that help carbon-absorbing plant life to thrive.
Fostering Diversity to Drive Business Success
T-Mobile also fosters a robust, diverse, and sustainable supply chain, with relationships grounded in mutual respect and shared values. The company holds suppliers to strict standards, integrates ESG throughout the supply chain, and invests in programs like the NextTech Diversity Program to increase the pipeline of diverse suppliers. In 2023, T-Mobile spent $3.1 billion with suppliers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, bringing its total diverse supplier spend to nearly $14 billion since 2020.
T-Mobile recognizes that fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is crucial for promoting innovation, collaboration, and business success. The company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is deeply embedded in its cultural DNA, creating a safe and engaging environment for employees while promoting inclusivity for customers and communities.
T-Mobile's workforce demographics reflect its commitment to diversity. In 2023, women and traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups continued to increase their representation in the company's workforce, including at the People Manager and Executive levels. The company also employs a significant number of veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
T-Mobile's employee resource groups (ERGs) play a vital role in fostering a culture of belonging. With six ERGs and four sub-affinity groups, these employee-led communities provide invaluable connections, development, and sponsorship opportunities. In 2023, the company launched ERG Immersive Experiences to offer deeper learning and development opportunities for ERG members, emphasizing mentoring, networking, and community service.
The company's commitment to inclusivity extends to its workplace design and accessibility services. T-Mobile provides amenities such as accessible mothers' rooms, multi-faith rooms, wellness rooms, and all-gender restrooms to support its diverse workforce. The company also engages external accessibility architecture experts to continuously improve its incorporation of universal design principles.
Looking ahead, T-Mobile's approach to corporate responsibility will evolve to match the growth of its business and technologies, the needs of its customers and communities, and the expectations of stockholders and investors. By working together and focusing on doing the right things, the right way, T-Mobile is poised to shape a new era of connectivity with purpose and make a lasting impact on people and the planet.