Representative Angie Craig Applauds Unanimous FCC Vote to Implement Her Proposed Broadband Nutrition Label

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Craig applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its unanimous vote to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require internet service providers to offer their customers a "Broadband Nutrition Label" on their monthly bills. The Broadband Nutrition Label, which Rep. Craig has championed in the U.S. House, is a standardized label much like the nutrition label on food products. It discloses key information about pricing, fees and internet speeds. Once implemented it will provide hardworking Americans with clear information about internet fees that will allow them to easily compare plans and to understand exactly what they are purchasing. The FCC's action effectively enacts Craig's Broadband Consumer Transparency Act of 2021.

Consumer advocates have long called for such a proposal and welcomed Rep. Craig's introduction of the Broadband Consumer Transparency Act of 2021 as a legislative solution to a lack of transparency in internet bills.

"This vote is a welcome step in the right direction, continuing a longstanding effort to provide transparency and pricing fairness for hardworking Americans who rely on the internet," said Representative Craig. "Constituents in Minnesota and across the country deserve to know exactly what they're paying for when they get their internet bills each month. These straightforward, easily understandable Broadband Nutrition Labels will help Americans better understand the services they are purchasing and help protect against hidden fees and sub-standard internet performance. I applaud the FCC's actions to implement my Broadband Consumer Transparency Act and lower costs for all Americans who rely on internet access."

Roughly 7 in 10 U.S. adults surveyed by Consumer Reports who have used a cable, internet, or phone service provider in the past two years said they experienced unexpected or hidden fees. In 2016, the FCC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau together rolled out an easily-readable label to help standardize the information meaningful to consumers as they compare plans. However, in 2017, President Trump's newly installed FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, abandoned the proposal. Congress, though, directed the FCC to revive the proposal by Nov. 15, 2022, as part of the recently passed infrastructure law. The law also makes the label mandatory for internet providers.

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