As of April 10, 2024, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States must now present detailed consumer labels for home Internet and mobile broadband plans, a directive from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) demands. This rule, aimed at enhancing transparency, requires the inclusion of prices, speeds, and data allowances on labels clearly visible to consumers at the point of sale.
The FCC’s enforcement of the Broadband Consumer Labels marks a significant move towards informing consumers about the specifics of their internet service packages. ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers are the first to comply, while smaller providers have until October 10, 2024, to adapt to the new requirements.
These broadband labels are part of a broader initiative by the FCC, following legislation passed by Congress in 2021 and the subsequent approval of label rules in November 2022. The labels must detail monthly costs, introductory rates and their durations, additional fees, and speed and data cap information, amongst other crucial service aspects.
Complaints from ISPs like Comcast about the complexity of listing all fees were dismissed by the FCC, which stands firm in its push for full transparency. Major ISPs, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Charter Spectrum, have already integrated these labels into their checkout processes, with Google Fiber pioneering the initiative in October 2023.
This regulation extends to TV providers as well, who will soon be required to advertise comprehensive prices, eliminating the element of surprise from hidden fees. This move by the FCC signifies a major step towards ensuring consumers are well-informed about the true cost and capabilities of their internet services.