1. FCC requires internet providers to provide breakdown of costs, fees, and speeds in “nutrition facts” style labels.
2. Labels must be displayed at all points of sale for providers with more than 100,000 customers.
3. Labels include detailed information such as introductory rates, data allowances, contract length, and must be available to both new and current customers.
The FCC is now requiring internet providers to display a breakdown of all costs, fees, and speeds associated with their plans in a “nutrition facts” format, similar to a food label. This requirement applies to companies with more than 100,000 customers, including both home and mobile broadband providers. Providers with fewer customers have until October to implement these labels for both new and current customers.
These labels must include detailed information such as introductory rates, data allowances, contract length, early termination fees, and more. They must also include links to network management practices and privacy policies to help consumers make informed choices when selecting an internet service plan. The FCC’s goal is to provide clear and accurate information to help customers compare and select the best internet service that meets their needs and budget.
The FCC’s nutrition facts-style labels have been in development for eight years and were made mandatory in 2022 following an order from Congress under the 2021 infrastructure law. Some internet service providers, like Google Fiber and Verizon, have already rolled out these labels ahead of the April 10 deadline to improve transparency and help customers understand the costs and performance of their internet services.