FCC Releases New Consumer Broadband Labels

The FCC released its broadband consumer labels Thursday, requiring ISPs to display machine-readable information at the point of sale. The order, adopted Nov. 14, requires providers to list monthly prices and itemized fees, whether it participates in the affordable connectivity program, and speed data. The order takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication. Compliance with the rules is not required until one year after OMB approval for providers with 100,000 or fewer subscribers and six months for all other providers. The goal is to "make the purchasing of broadband service more simple and more competitive for consumers everywhere," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said he looks forward to reviewing the record on whether the labels should include cybersecurity information. Doing so "could be very valuable to consumers" and "push ISPs to compete on network security," Starks said. The commission adopted one label requiring the same information in the same format for fixed and mobile broadband providers. Providers must include information about latency. It's "important to any application involving users interacting with each other, a device, or an application," the order said. An accompanying NPRM seeks comment on "alternative speed and latency measurements for the label going forward." The NPRM also seeks comment on the label's accessibility and availability in multiple languages, other performance data, and network management information. Comments will be due 30 days after Federal Register publication, 60 days for replies. The new label will "help consumers better understand their internet access purchases" and "allow for an effective apples-to-apples comparison tool when shopping for services in the marketplace," said Wireless ISP Association Vice President-Policy Louis Peraertz. It's a "good first step," said Next Century Cities Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Johnston: "Without including the label on a consumer's bill, the broadband nutrition label falls short of its goal."