Sponsors
The bill improves consumer price transparency by requiring an aggregate broadband price, advance notice of price changes, and banning certain add‑on fees, but risks providers shifting costs into other charges, possible higher base rates for some customers, and regulatory uncertainty from a fast rulemaking timeline and grandfathering exemptions.
Broadband subscribers (including low‑ and middle‑income households and taxpayers) will see a single clear "aggregate price" in bills and ads, making it easier to compare offers and avoid surprise add‑on charges.
Subscribers (including low‑ and middle‑income households) will no longer face specified line‑item "covered fees" (e.g., network maintenance, tech support, local access), which should simplify bills and reduce some monthly charges for people previously paying those add‑ons.
Subscribers will receive 60‑ and 30‑day notices before introductory price expirations, giving consumers (including low‑ and middle‑income households) advance warning of upcoming price increases and reducing bill shock.
Broadband providers may respond by raising base rates or shifting costs into fees the FCC excludes from the aggregate price (e.g., taxes, equipment fees) or by restructuring bundles, which could leave many consumers (especially low‑ and middle‑income households) paying the same or more overall despite fewer line‑item surcharges.
A 90‑day FCC rulemaking deadline may force quick rules with limited stakeholder input, creating regulatory uncertainty for providers and implementation problems that could confuse consumers or delay intended protections.
Exempting legacy or grandfathered plans from promotional disclosure requirements leaves existing customers (including low‑ and middle‑income households still on those plans) with weaker protections and potential confusion from inconsistent communications.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires ISPs to display a single clear aggregate price on bills and ads, bans many common add-on fees, and mandates notice of post-introductory pricing; FCC must issue rules in 90 days.
Introduced September 23, 2025 by Josh Harder · Last progress September 23, 2025
Requires broadband companies to show one clear "aggregate price" on customer bills and in ads, and bans a set of common add-on "covered fees." The FCC must write rules within 90 days to define how the aggregate price is displayed, what fees are prohibited, how to disclose introductory prices and post-period prices, and which charges may be excluded (for example taxes and equipment charges). The rule applies to broadband services as defined in federal regulations, covers bundled services (the aggregate price must cover all services in a bundle), allows itemized breakdowns to appear with the aggregate price, and exempts legacy/grandfathered plans from some promotional disclosure rules.