What’s New?
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offering standalone broadband internet access service will be required to display consumer-friendly labels at the point of sale.
o Broadband Labels resemble the well-known nutrition labels that appear on food products.
o To ensure the label benefits all consumers, the Commission adopted language and accessibility requirements for the label's display.
• Broadband labels are now required at any point of sale, including online and in stores for large ISPs.
• Labels are required for all standalone home or fixed internet service or mobile broadband plans.
• Providers must display the label – not simply an icon or link to the label – in close proximity to an associated plan’s advertisement.
What’s on the Broadband Labels?
• Broadband prices
• Introductory rate details
• Data allowances
• Broadband speeds
• Links to learn more about:
o Available discounts or service bundles
o Network management practices
o Privacy policies
Why Does This Matter?
• Accurate, simple-to-understand information about broadband internet access services helps consumers make informed choices.
• Transparency is central to a well-functioning marketplace that encourages competition, innovation, low prices, and high-quality service.
• The labels are designed to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of standalone high-speed internet services.
How Did We Get Here?
• In 2015, the FCC sought recommendations for consumer-centric labels from its Consumer Advisory Committee, a panel of consumer group and industry representatives. The committee provided recommendations to the FCC in 2016.
• In July 2021, the President’s Executive Order included the creation of broadband consumer labels.
• In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which directed the FCC to require consumer-friendly labels with information about broadband services.
• In 2022, the FCC adopted rules requiring broadband providers to display, at the point of sale, labels displaying key information consumers want: prices, speeds, fees, data allowances, and other critical information.
• Looking ahead, by October 10, 2024:
o Providers will be required to make the labels machine-readable to enable third parties to more easily collect and aggregate data for the purpose of creating comparison-shopping tools for consumers.
o Providers with less than 100,000 subscribers must also comply with the rules.
Additional information:
• Glossary: Help consumers better understand the information displayed on the label.
Source: FCC
