FCC announces first public hearing on broadband consumer labels

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission announced Feb. 23 the first of a series of virtual public hearings as a part of its broadband consumer labels rulemaking proceeding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act instructed the agency to conduct a series of public hearings to assess how consumers evaluate internet service plans and whether current disclosures are sufficient.

The first hearing will take place March 11, 1:30 p.m. ET and will stream free to the public at FCC.gov/live. The hearing will also be recorded and archived on the FCC’s website. Event attendees can submit questions in advance of or during the hearing by sending an email to [email protected].

The public hearings will be part of the record in response to the FCC’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which sought comment on a requirement that broadband providers display simple to-understand labels that disclose, at the point of sale, accurate information about prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices, among other things. Information on the commission’s work on broadband information labels, including relevant documents, is available at FCC.gov/broadbandlabels.

The purpose of the first hearing will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the current transparency rule, as required by the Infrastructure Act, and provide necessary background for the new label requirement, including whether additional disclosure requirements are necessary.

The meeting will stream with open captioning and American Sign Language interpreting at FCC.gov/live. Other reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we require additional information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fulfill. Send an email to: [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).

For additional information about the webinar’s logistical details, contact Diana Coho, Consumer Affairs and Outreach Specialist, at [email protected].

For additional information about the ongoing broadband consumer labels rulemaking, contact Erica H. McMahon, Consumer Policy Division, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-0346 (voice) or e-mail at [email protected].

Submitted by the Federal Communications Commission.