On March 11, 2022 starting at 1:30 p.m. ET, please join the FCC at the first of a series of virtual public hearings as a part of its broadband consumer labels rulemaking proceeding. The purpose of these hearing is to assess how consumers evaluate internet service plans and whether current disclosures are sufficient. Specifically, the first hearing will evaluate the effectiveness of the current transparency rule and provide necessary background for the new label requirement, including whether additional disclosure requirements are necessary.
The hearing will be available for public viewing at www.FCC.gov/live. It will be recorded and archived on the FCC's website for viewing at a later date. Additional information about this topic is available at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-empower-broadband-consumers-through-transparency.
The tentative agenda is as follows:
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm: Welcoming Remarks and Introductions
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm: Testimony from Grassroots Navigators
- Maribel Martinez, Consultant, Digital Access to All, supporting digital navigators for UnidosNow, the Women's Resource Center, and Goodwill Manasota
- Matt Sayre, Onward Eugene
2:00 pm – 3:10 pm: Panel Presentations
- Deb Berlyn and Ann Berkowitz (of the FCC's 2015/2016 Consumer Advisory Committee)
- Diana Eisner, U.S. Telecom
- Dr. Margaret Nygren, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Joshua Stager, Open Technology Institute, New America Foundation
- Greg Guice, Public Knowledge
- Crystal Rhoades, Commissioner, Kansas Public Service Commission
3:10 – 3:30 pm: Panel Q&A
Questions in advance of or during the hearing can be submitted by sending an email to BroadbandLabelsHearing@fcc.gov.
The public hearings will be part of the record in response to the FCC's recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which sought comment on a requirement that broadband providers display simple-to-understand labels that disclose, at the point of sale, accurate information about prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices, among other things. Information on the Commission's work on broadband information labels, including relevant documents, is available at www.FCC.gov/broadbandlabels.
The meeting will stream with open captioning and American Sign Language interpreting at www.FCC.gov/live. Other reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we require additional information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fulfill. Send an e-mail to: FCC504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).
For additional information about the webinar's logistical details, please contact Diana Coho, Consumer Affairs and Outreach Specialist, at Diana.Coho@fcc.gov. For additional information about the ongoing broadband consumer labels rulemaking, contact Erica H. McMahon, Consumer Policy Division, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 418-0346 (voice) or e-mail at Erica.McMahon@fcc.gov.