Broadband ‘nutrition’ labels are coming—here’s what you need to know

Soon, getting info on a broadband provider will be as easy as checking the label on the back of a cereal box. Or so we hope! The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring the majority of internet service providers (ISPs) to display broadband consumer labels at the point of sale by April 10. Those labels must disclose information (in an easy-to-read manner) about a provider’s monthly pricing, upload and download speeds, data allowances as well as links to the ISP’s network management practices and privacy policies. Bryan Darr, VP of government affairs at Ookla, said he thinks there are “a number” of regulatory risks for the ISPs, including the “administrative headache” it’s going to be to implement these labels, regardless of an operator’s size. As for how the broadband labels will impact consumers, Darr explained they’ll most likely benefit people who are unsatisfied with their internet service, whether that’s due to reliability, or consistency or cost, and want to shop around for a different ISP.