“Nutrition label” style disclosures are now required for broadband plans, the Federal Communications Commission announced. The labels require major Internet service providers to disclose broadband prices, speeds, data allowances, bundle and discount prices, privacy policies and introductory rate details. Information on rental fees for any equipment, such as modems or routers, must also be disclosed.
“Consumers across the country can now benefit from consistent, transparent, and accessible point-of-sale information about broadband prices and services,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “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.”
Labels will be required for all standalone home or fixed Internet service or mobile broadband plans. The labels with all the information — not just an icon or a link — must be displayed close to any associated plan’s advertisement.
ISPs with more than 100,000 subscribers must comply with the rules now. After Oct. 10, smaller providers will be required to add them as well. After that date, providers will also be required to make the labels machine-readable to enable the information to be collected and aggregated so it can be used to create a comparison-pricing tool.
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