FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the nationwide launch of Broadband Consumer Labels, which Internet Service Providers will now be required to display to ensure broadband price and service transparency.
The Broadband Consumer Labels resemble the well-known nutrition labels that appear on food products. To ensure the label benefits all consumers, the Commission adopted language and accessibility requirements for the label’s display. 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.
“Today is an exciting day for consumers. Broadband Nutrition Labels are finally here. Consumers across the country can now benefit from consistent, transparent, and accessible point-of-sale information about broadband prices and services,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “These ‘nutrition label’ disclosures are designed to make it simpler for consumers to know what they are getting, hold providers to their promises, and benefit from greater competition—which means better service and prices for everyone.”.
In 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.
By October 10, 2024, 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. At that time, providers with less than 100,000 subscribers must also comply with the rules.
