FCC proposes eliminating ISP fee itemization requirements
The Federal Communications Commission, under Chairman Brendan Carr, is set to vote on scrapping rules that require internet service providers to list all discretionary fees on broadband price labels. This move responds to industry complaints about the burden of compliance with the Biden-era transparency measures. The proposal aims to simplify labels while maintaining core pricing information for consumers.
In 2023, major US broadband trade groups, including those representing Comcast, petitioned the FCC to eliminate a rule mandating the itemization of discretionary recurring monthly fees on broadband price labels. These fees, not mandated by government, include state and local pass-through charges like right-of-way and pole rental fees. The FCC, then led by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, rejected the petition in April 2024, when the rule took effect. Rosenworcel emphasized that "every consumer needs transparent information when making decisions about what Internet service offering makes the most sense for their family or household. No one wants to be hit with charges they didn't ask for or they did not expect." She noted ISPs could roll fees into base prices to avoid itemization.
Now, with a Republican-majority FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr, the agency is reversing course. On October 8, 2025, Carr announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a vote on October 28, proposing to delete the fee-itemization requirement, among others. The draft states: "We propose to eliminate the requirement that providers itemize discretionary, recurring monthly fees that represent costs they choose to pass through to consumers and which vary by consumer location." Instead, providers could display aggregate amounts. This is part of Carr's "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative to reduce regulations. In a blog post, Carr described it as focusing on "consumer protection," ensuring labels provide "quick and easy access to the information they want and need to compare broadband plans without imposing unnecessary burdens."
Industry groups like NCTA and USTelecom argued that itemizing fees leads to "a proliferation of labels and of labels so lengthy that the fees overwhelm other important elements." The proposal also targets rules requiring labels to be read over the phone, displayed in customer account portals, and provided in machine-readable format. It seeks comment on dropping multilingual requirements, despite CTIA's objections.
Democrat Commissioner Anna Gomez expressed concerns, stating: "I believe that transparency in all aspects of a transaction helps consumers make fully informed decisions. I'm also deeply concerned about the proposal to remove the multilingual display requirement." Core label requirements for pricing, data allowances, and performance metrics would remain intact.