Verizon is now rolling out "Broadband Facts" labels for its home internet plans. Inspired by nutrition labels, and mandated by the FCC, the standardized templates display the speed, price, data allowance, and other key information consumers should expect from their ISPs.
"Verizon supports the goal of the FCC Broadband labels in helping to ensure consumers have all the facts before choosing a home internet provider, which is why we chose to launch the labels this week in advance of the April 10 federal deadline," a Verizon spokesperson tells PCMag. "We want to make it easy for customers to quickly understand what's included in all our broadband plans." Reuters first reported the news.
Google Fiber was the first ISP provider to debut the new labels last fall for its residential 1 Gig, 2 Gig, 5 Gig, and 8 Gig tiers. The FCC will require all major carriers to do the same for all products sold in-store and online by April 10, a deadline it announced in October 2023. Smaller carriers have until Oct. 10, 2024.
The top of the label features the name of the service and its monthly price. For example, the labels below, which are cropped to show just the top, list $99.99/month for Fios and $80/month for 5G Home. Additional charges and terms come afterward, including installation costs, deposits, late fees, taxes, and early termination fees.
(Credit: Verizon)Plan speeds are listed toward the bottom of the label, including the typical download and upload speed, as well as latency.
(Credit: Verizon)Verizon notes one piece of information that's missing from the label: Discounts, offers, and perks. For example, it's currently offering a free Nintendo Switch with the purchase of a 5G Home Plus or LTE Home Plus Internet plan. Shoppers can see these types of discounts by clicking on a link within the label for more information.
Editors' Note: This story was updated to clarify that Google Fiber was the first to roll out the labels, not Verizon.