FCC unanimously approves ‘nutrition labels’ for broadband services
Understanding your broadband speeds could be just as simple as reading the nutrition label on the back of the food you buy at the grocery store as soon as the end of this year.
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to press forward on a new plan that would require internet providers, like Comcast and Verizon, to offer new labels disclosing an internet plan’s price, speed, data allowances, including introductory rates and later price hikes, as well as network management practices, like throttling, at the point of sale. This allows for greater transparency into market rates and could lead to lower prices down the line.
“Access to accurate, simple-to-understand information about broadband Internet access services helps consumers make informed choices and is central to a well-functioning marketplace,” the FCC said in a press release on Thursday.
Last summer, President Biden signed an executive order to promote competition across markets, including telecommunications and internet service. The order required the FCC to institute new rules aimed at giving internet subscribers more choices and better broadband internet service. The agency acted on this order on Thursday, kicking off a commenting process before the rules are required to go into effect by November 15th.
