FCC Institutes New Requirements for Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Providers such as Windstream or TruVista, offering standalone broadband internet access service are now required to display consumer-friendly labels at the point of sale.

On Tuesday the Federal Communications Commission held a press conference to announce the new requirement for ISPs.

Starting today, broadband labels will be required at any point of sale, including online and in stores for large ISPs.

Providers with less than 100,000 subscribers must also comply with the rules.

Broadband Labels will resemble the well-known nutrition labels that appear on food products.

To ensure the label benefits all consumers, the Commission also adopted language and accessibility requirements for the label’s display.

Providers must display the label – not simply an icon or link to the label – in close proximity to an associated plan’s advertisement.

The labels must include the Broadband prices, Introductory rate details, Data allowances, and Broadband speeds

The new labels also have to provide links to available discounts or service bundles, network management practices, and privacy policies

According to the FCC, the new Broadband labels are necessary in order to provide consumers with

· Accurate, simple-to-understand information about broadband internet access services to help them make informed choices.

· Transparency is central to a well-functioning marketplace that encourages competition, innovation, low prices, and high-quality service.

· And to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of standalone high-speed internet services.

· In 2015, the FCC sought recommendations for consumer-centric labels from its Consumer Advisory Committee, a panel of consumer groups and industry representatives, for recommendations for consumer-centric labels. 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.

By October 10, Broadband 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.