FCC Broadband Labels: What's New Between 2024 and October 10 2025

The FCC’s “Broadband Consumer Label” started appearing on ISP websites and in-store displays this year. By design, it works like a nutrition label—same look, same goal: give people the facts in one glance. But the rules don’t stop with the 2024 rollout. A second, more detailed specification kicks in on 10 October 2025 and every provider—large or small—has homework to finish first. Below is a straightforward rundown of what’s changing and why it matters. 

By design, it works like a nutrition label—same look, same goal: give people the facts in one glance. But the rules don’t stop with the 2024 rollout. A second, more detailed specification kicks in on 10 October 2025 and every provider—large or small—has homework to finish first. Below is a straightforward rundown of what’s changing and why it matters.

The 2025 Upgrade: Four Changes to Know

1. Clearer Flags on Introductory Pricing 
   
   - What changes? A simple Yes/No must now appear next to “Introductory Price.”  
   
   - Why it matters: No more guessing whether that low first-year rate jumps later.
    
2. Honest Treatment of Taxes 
   
   - What changes? The “Government Taxes” row must state Included, Varies by Location, or a dollar amount.  
   
   - Why it matters: Consumers finally see the full price—before checkout. 
   
   
3. Layout Tweaks & Removals
    
   - ACP row removed. The Affordable Connectivity Program line disappears entirely as the program has been shut down.  
   
   - Unique Plan ID displayed. A plan’s identifier now shows on the label itself, helping with positive identification. 
   
   
4. One Machine-Readable File for All Labels
   
   - CSV portal required. Providers must host a single CSV at a public URL containing every active label. 
   
   - Field updates: 

• • intro_rate – new Yes/No field.  
  • tax – records “Included,” “Varies,” or a dollar figure.  
  • data_allowance_policy_url – link to full data-cap policy.  
  • acp – removed from the schema. 
    
    

What Providers Should Do Now 

Sonar’s Generator — Free, 2025-Ready, and Open to Everyone 

Sonar has already updated its generator to meet the 2025 schema, so you can produce compliant labels today—whether or not you run Sonar’s OSS/BSS. Follow these steps: 

1. Gather Your Data 
   
   - Sonar V2 users: Run Reports → Accounts → FCC Broadband Consumer Labels, download the CSV (Advanced ➜ Unformatted). docs.sonar.expert 
   
   - Non-Sonar users: Download the free template CSV and Data Entry Guide. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   
2. Complete Required Columns
    
   - Open the CSV and fill any blank fields—e.g., intro_rate, tax, data_allowance_policy_url, contract terms, fees. Keep the header row intact, then save as CSV. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   
3. Generate Your Labels
   
   - Visit fcclabels.sonar.software, click Import label file (CSV only), and then Download to receive a ZIP containing SVG labels plus the finalized CSV. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   
4. Review & Regenerate if Needed
   
   - Open a few SVGs—each is machine-readable and auto-scales. If any descriptions overflow, shorten them and re-import. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   
5. Deploy the Output
   
   - Sonar V2: Upload the ZIP in Customer Portal → Design Settings → FCC Label Zip File, then Save—labels appear automatically for each subscriber. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   - All other platforms: Embed each SVG directly into your plan pages and host the CSV at a public URL like /fcc/labels.csv. docs.sonar.expert 
   
   
6. Stay Current
   
   - Schedule periodic CSV exports and re-imports so labels track price or speed changes. The Sonar generator’s schema and unique Plan-ID logic are already aligned with the 2025 rule set, keeping you future-proof.
   
   

The tool is free and provided as-is; you’re responsible for verifying accuracy before publishing.