The New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative (OTI) is calling for Truth-in-Labeling by our nation's broadband operators. OTI has developed a set of disclosure standards to provide the broadband market-place with a much-needed tool to allow consumers to better understand their broadband subscriptions and compare plans among different operators.
"As the Federal Communications Commission creates a national broadband policy to drive affordable broadband deployment, a key facet of this plan will be empowering customers with the information they need to make informed choices among Internet service providers," stated Sascha Meinrath, Director of New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative. "'Truth in Broadband Advertising' is the key element that ensures that the general public can compare and choose their best broadband options."
OTI has created a sample Broadband Truth-in-Labeling disclosure, in an effort to establish a standardized label for operators to provide consumers with essential information about their broadband subscriptions, including Internet speed, service guarantees, prices, service limits, and other related elements. The label aims at educating consumers about the contents of broadband services to create transparency in the market and increase competition, innovation and consumer welfare.