Your Guide to Understanding Broadband Labels 

Making It Easier to Choose the Right Internet Plan 

When it comes to picking the right internet service, the options and details can often feel overwhelming. Consumers are left wondering how one plan stacks up against another – especially when it comes to bandwidth, speeds, and real costs.  How do you know what you’re really getting? To simplify this process, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched new broadband labels in 2024. These labels provide a clear, straightforward breakdown of what consumers can expect from each internet service plan. 

Much like nutrition labels on food packaging, broadband labels offer easy-to-read information that helps consumers quickly grasp the details of a broadband plan. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this new tool when choosing the best plan for your needs. 

What are Broadband Labels?  

Golden West’s Broadband Labels provide clear details of your service plan, offering a quick snapshot of important information like fees, speeds, and data performance. This makes it easier to compare options and find the right fit for your needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll see on these labels: 

• Pricing Breakdown: This section details the monthly cost, including any additional charges, promotional discounts, and bundling options. 

• Introductory Rates: Easily identify the difference between promotional prices and regular rates. 

• Speeds: This includes the actual speeds customers can expect, such as download and upload speeds, along with latency – an essential factor for activities like gaming and video conferencing. 

• Data Privacy Links: These provide insights into policies on data management and protection, informing you of how your information is handled. 

• Customer Support: Our contact information is readily available, ensuring you can easily reach our friendly local customer service team. We're always here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. 

How to Access Broadband Labels 

At Golden West, we’re all about transparency and helping you make informed decisions. When you click on our Broadband Labels, you’ll see a detailed breakdown of everything included in your service plan. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are required to display these labels across all sales channels, so you can easily access them wherever you shop: 

• Online: ISPs will display broadband labels on their websites once you’ve confirmed your location, showing the plans available in your area. 

• In-Store: Physical broadband labels are visible in retail stores where internet services are sold. 

• Phone Sales: When ordering over the phone, ISPs can provide a broadband label via email or text during the call or direct you to a website where the label is displayed. 

If you'd prefer, our friendly local customer service team is always here to assist you. We’d be happy to walk you through your label information. Call us at 855-888-7777, option 3. 

Benefits of Broadband Labels for Consumers 

The introduction of broadband labels by the FCC provides numerous benefits to consumers and has wide-reaching impacts across the industry: 

• Informed Choices: By offering transparent details on pricing, speeds, and more, broadband labels empower consumers to make informed decisions. 

• Competitive Edge: Internet service providers are now more incentivized to compete on quality, value, and customer service instead of relying on confusing pricing structures or hidden terms. 

• Transparency: These labels make it easier to understand exactly what you’re paying for and what you’re getting in return, fostering trust between consumers and providers. 

• Up-to-Date Information: Internet service providers must update their broadband labels anytime their services change, ensuring that consumers always have access to accurate and relevant information. 

• Industry Standards: The FCC’s initiative promotes transparency and consistency in the internet service industry, setting a precedent for other service sectors. 

Understanding Key Terms on Your Broadband Label 

When reviewing a broadband label, it’s important to understand the key terms that define the performance and quality of your internet service. Here’s a breakdown of the most important terms and what they mean for your service experience: 

• Speed: Speed measures the rate at which data travels from the source (like our fiber network) to your device, whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, or smart TV. A higher speed generally means a faster and smoother experience, especially for data-intensive tasks like streaming or online gaming. 

• Download Speed: This indicates how quickly data is pulled from the internet to your device, affecting how fast a video loads or a webpage appears. 

• Upload Speed: This measures how fast you can send data from your device to the internet. Upload speed is crucial for activities like video calls, uploading photos, or sending large email attachments. 

• Factors That Can Impact Speed: Several factors can affect your internet speed, including the type of device you’re using, the number of devices connected at the same time, and even the structure of your home. Distance from your router, obstacles like walls, and network congestion during peak hours can also impact your speeds. 

• Latency: Latency refers to the delay between sending a request and receiving a response. Measured in milliseconds, it impacts real-time activities such as live video, gaming, and virtual meetings. 

• Why Latency Matters: Low latency ensures faster responses, while high latency can lead to noticeable lags in live activities, affecting video streaming, gaming, and telehealth calls where quick, seamless interactions are essential. 

Since 1952, Golden West has built its reputation on transparency and value. As a cooperative, you’re not just a customer – you’re an owner. This means we don’t line the pockets of corporate shareholders; instead, we reinvest in our communities and return value to you. Whether through service improvements or capital gain credits, we ensure your investment benefits you directly. 

With Broadband Labels, you get clear information to compare options and choose the most affordable, high-speed internet plan that fits your needs. We believe in empowering you to make informed decisions about your service.