FCC announces new consumer broadband labels

In order to help consumers orientate better in what broadband market offers, the Federal Communications commision unveiled on Monday new labels for broadband and mobile Internet services. This will let broadband customers have a better idea of what they're signing up for.

The new labels resemble the familiar nutrition-information boxes that the government requires on many types of foods. They won't exactly be legally required from each provider, but the FCC expects most of them to adopt them in the near future anyway.

"If you're going to get competition, competition, competition, you need information, information, information," said Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. "This is industry and advocates coming togetherunanimously. Customers deserve to know the price they will actually pay for a service and to be fully aware of other components such as data limits and performance factors before they sign up for service."

"These labels provide consumers clarity about the broadband service they are purchasing, not only helping them to make more informed choices, but also preventing surprises when the first bill arrives," Wheeler added.

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