As of October 10, transparency in Internet offerings is not just a courtesy; it’s a requirement. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the use of broadband consumer labels to ensure that customers have clear and understandable information about the providers’ Internet options.
That’s why we at Nex-Tech, a leading provider of broadband and other services to rural communities in Kansas, wanted to share how we interpret the FCC guidelines and are implementing them with our broadband labels in our second webinar in The Edge series.
What are broadband consumer labels and why do providers need them?
Broadband consumer labels are standardized labels that provide information about the price, speed, data allowance, latency, and other features of your Internet service offerings. They are designed to help consumers compare different plans and providers, and to promote transparency and promote transparency in the broadband market.
The FCC has required all Internet service providers, both fixed and mobile, to prepare and display broadband labels at the point-of-sale, whether online, in person, or over the phone. The large providers, those with over 100,000 subscribers, had to comply by April 10, 2024. The smaller rural providers, those with under 100,000 subscribers, have until October 10, 2024 to comply.
Top Six Considerations for Telcos
- Label Quantity: Determining the number of labels needed is crucial. Each package offered will require its own label, making it imperative to have an accurate count.
- Website Display: The labels should be prominently displayed on the provider website at the point of sale, easily accessible, and understandable for current and potential customers. The FCC requires that all broadband labels need to be machine-readable, as well.
- Promotional Clarity: When promotions are offered, the labels must reflect any changes or temporary terms to avoid confusion and maintain transparency.
- Employee Education: Employees must be well-versed in the labels to assist customers effectively and uphold the company’s commitment to transparency.
- Customer Understanding: Ultimately, the goal is to educate customers and provide them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their Internet service.
- Dedicate an Employee and Create a Timeline: We, at Nex-Tech, found it easiest to dedicate one employee to be in charge of our broadband label management system and research. Then, based on their research, we created a timeline to implement broadband labels on our website.
If you want to learn more about how Nex-Tech plans to implement these rules or about the implementation of our broadband label management system with clients, please reach out to the Nex-Tech Creative team today.
