Most internet providers must display broadband ‘nutrition’ labels by April 2024

Broadband providers like Frontier, Spectrum, Verizon and others have until early 2024 to provide a Broadband Facts label for their services.

The labels will be similar in format to the required food nutrition labels we’re all familiar with and must “disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds, and to include links to information about network management practices, privacy policies,” and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hopes the labels will provide consumers with a more transparent and easier way to shop for internet.

“This is a big win for consumers, who need clear and transparent information when making decisions about what internet service makes the most sense for their households. Consumers will finally get information they can use to comparison shop, avoid junk fees, and make informed choices about which high-speed internet service is the best fit for their needs and budget,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. 

Most providers have until April 10, 2024, to display the labels, but providers with 100,000 or fewer subscriber lines have until Oct. 10, 2024.

The label will show your monthly price, contract requirements, any additional charges and terms like early termination fees or taxes and any discount or bundle pricing that is available.

ISPs must also list if they participate in the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program.

Plan speeds, both upload and download, along with latency and monthly data allowance, will also be shown.

There were three public meetings on the topic, the last held in May 2022. The last hearing “focused on the experiences of digital navigators working with consumers to select broadband plans, Federal agency representatives discussing lessons learned from existing Federal Government labels, and advocates working to meet the needs of the disability community while exploring how information is conveyed and considered by consumers.”

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