Broadband Providers Must Prominently Display Accurate Labels For Broadband Services At All Points Of Sale

The Federal Communications Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau reminds broadband Internet service providers (ISPs or providers) that they must display accurate broadband labels, for both wireless and wired retail standalone broadband services, at all points of sale.  The FCC is emphasizing key aspects of the label requirements to assist provider compliance and to ensure consumers receive the benefits of the labels. Providers must display the label at all “points of sale.”  Points of sale are ISP websites and any alternate channels through which the service in question is sold, including ISP-owned retail locations, third-party retail locations, and over the phone.  On ISP websites, the label must appear on the primary advertising web page that identifies the plans available to the consumer, i.e., once the consumer has entered any required location information.  ISPs must display labels in close proximity to the associated plan advertisement.  Directing consumers to a weblink or displaying a thumbnail icon, both of which require additional consumer action to access labels, does not satisfy FCC rules.  The FCC monitors consumer complaints and other sources of information about label display, and we remind providers they are subject to potential FCC investigation and enforcement for failure to satisfy the rules