FCC to End Rule Requiring ISPs to Itemize All Fees on Broadband Labels

The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on a proposal that would eliminate the requirement for internet service providers to itemize all discretionary passthrough fees on broadband price labels. Under the draft order released last week, ISPs would instead be allowed to display these fees as a single “up to” amount, which can include both government-imposed fees and charges from third parties like utility pole owners.

The move, spearheaded by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, is part of a broader rollback of consumer protections enacted under the previous Democratic leadership. The FCC will also vote on allowing ISPs to provide hyperlinks to price labels instead of displaying them prominently on ordering pages and account portals, eliminating the requirement for machine-readable spreadsheet files, and relaxing telephone disclosure rules—sales reps will no longer need to recite the label verbatim.

Industry groups, including USTelecom and NCTA, have supported the changes, arguing that current rules impose an undue burden on providers, who must create hundreds of different labels to account for geographic variations in fees. Consumer advocacy groups, such as Public Knowledge and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, have strongly opposed the proposal, warning that it will increase confusion, hide junk fees, and widen the digital divide.

The FCC is scheduled to vote on the order at its July 22 meeting. If approved, the new rules will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.