The Consumer Broadband Nutrition Label (“CBNL”) was designed by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to help consumers understand the true cost of their broadband plans. The labels are intended to detail the charges, fees, and other components of the final cost a consumer sees on their monthly bill. They are also designed to show critical service information like network outage time and data caps.
On November 17, 2022, the FCC released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to clarify what information the label should include regarding accessibility, pricing, network performance information, network management practices, and formatting requirements. In response Next Century Cities and Consumer Reports filed comments and reply comments urging the FCC to consider the following:
Require the label be made available in English, Spanish, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, and any other language a specific provider advertises in;
Utilize the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to make the label more easily accessible to those with disabilities;
Include an average monthly speed on the label, instead of a “typical” speed range;
Include all applicable discounts and state and local taxes on the label to provide a clear bottom line price for consumers;
Provide a clear bottom line price for consumers with all applicable discounts and state and local taxes on the label; and
Break out the Internet portion of service plan bundles so consumers can clearly identify what they pay for broadband service.
Broadband nutrition labels have the potential to help consumers comparison shop for service plans and audit their monthly bills. By including clear, useful, and accessible information, the FCC can reach the label’s full potential.
Read NCC and Consumer Report’s Comments here and reply to comments here. Review Consumer Reports’ press release here.
If you have any questions, or comments about the broadband nutrition label requirements or NCC’s federal policy work, please contact Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Johnston at ryan@nextcenturycities.org.
EVENTS
Next Century Cities Partners with Consumer Reports to File Comments and Replies on the FCC’s Consumer Broadband Nutrition Label Requirements
By Ryan Johnston
Credit: TechCrunch
The Consumer Broadband Nutrition Label (“CBNL”) was designed by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to help consumers understand the true cost of their broadband plans. The labels are intended to detail the charges, fees, and other components of the final cost a consumer sees on their monthly bill. They are also designed to show critical service information like network outage time and data caps.
On November 17, 2022, the FCC released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to clarify what information the label should include regarding accessibility, pricing, network performance information, network management practices, and formatting requirements. In response Next Century Cities and Consumer Reports filed comments and reply comments urging the FCC to consider the following:
Require the label be made available in English, Spanish, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, and any other language a specific provider advertises in;
Utilize the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to make the label more easily accessible to those with disabilities;
Include an average monthly speed on the label, instead of a “typical” speed range;
Include all applicable discounts and state and local taxes on the label to provide a clear bottom line price for consumers;
Provide a clear bottom line price for consumers with all applicable discounts and state and local taxes on the label; and
Break out the Internet portion of service plan bundles so consumers can clearly identify what they pay for broadband service.
Broadband nutrition labels have the potential to help consumers comparison shop for service plans and audit their monthly bills. By including clear, useful, and accessible information, the FCC can reach the label’s full potential.
Read NCC and Consumer Report’s Comments here and reply to comments here. Review Consumer Reports’ press release here.
If you have any questions, or comments about the broadband nutrition label requirements or NCC’s federal policy work, please contact Senior Policy Counsel Ryan Johnston at ryan@nextcenturycities.org.
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