A Win for Consumers
After a slow-moving adventure through America’s legal system the FCC has come out victorious, having secured unprecedented transparency enhancements for the average internet consumer. As of April 10th, 2024, major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must publish “nutrition labels” for each of their offerings detailing the features, fees, and other details that would otherwise be either time-consuming or impossible for a consumer to uncover.
Inspired by FDA Success
The labels mimic the FDA’s nutrition labels and aim to assist consumers in comparing internet service plans to find the most suitable option for their requirements and financial constraints. According to the FCC’s website:
“The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. They also include links to information about network management practices and privacy policies.”
The Commission released a glossary to aid in the “digestion” (pun intended) of the various terms and details provided on the new labels. Additionally, they’ve made available a sample home internet label and a sample mobile broadband label, both in PDF format.
No Easy Fight
As expected, the behemoth corporations that are America’s major ISPs have fought tooth and nail against this new regulation. The FCC didn’t back down though, and the result is better protection for the consumer. As the folks at The Verge pointed out, many consumers, especially rural residents, have scarce options when selecting an ISP, and that’s when there’s more than one provider in the area at all. Because of the lack of competition, ISPs have had little motivation to keep their prices affordable or their speeds competitive. So, this change is a welcome one, and hopefully just the start of broader protection from the abuses that mega corporations have brazenly inflicted on an entire country for decades.
Not Every ISP is Constrained
Although most major providers are set to begin showcasing their labels in April, those with fewer than 100,000 subscribers were granted a grace period through October 10, 2024, to adhere to FCC guidelines mandating the display of broadband labels at all their sales locations.
Filing a Complaint
The FCC has asked that consumers report inaccuracies and failures to comply to their Consumer Complaint Center. Per their website:
“If you have a question about accessibility requirements for the Consumer Broadband Disclosure Labels, contact the FCC's Disability Rights office at 202-418-2517 for a voice phone call, at 844-432-2275 by videophone, or by email at DRO@fcc.gov”
