FCC Reveals Consumer Broadband Labels; CFPB Director Cordray Weighs In

FCC

On April 4, the FCC released new broadband disclosure labels for Internet services. According to the FCC, consumers submit more than 2,000 complaints annually related to surprise fees associated with consumers’ Internet service bills. Specifically designed for mobile broadband services and fixed broadband services, the newly released labels “will provide consumers with more information on service speed and reliability and greater clarity regarding the costs of broadband services, including fees and other add-on charges that may appear on their bills.”

In coordination with the FCC to provide greater transparency to consumers using broadband services, CFPB Director Cordray likened the broadband disclosure labels to the CFPB’s “know before you owe” initiative, noting that, “[c]onsumers must be able to understand the terms of the agreement, and if there are options, they need to be able to comparison shop for the best deal.”