WTA Responds to Broadband Labeling FNPRM

Today, WTA filed comments in response to the FCC’s Report, Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on broadband labels. WTA stated that its members are in the process of implementing the new broadband labeling rules contained in the November 2022 Order, and believes that the new rules should be fully implemented and their impact and effectiveness assessed before additional labelling mandates are adopted. The primary benefit of a label – the presentation of critical service and price information to customers in an easily and quickly readable format – can be lost if too many labels are required or too much detail is required per label. In addition, many of the proposed additional labelling requirements entail substantial complexities, burdens and operating expenses for small ISPs that significantly outweigh their potential benefits and that are likely to harm customers by spurring rate increases.