The Lower Internet Costs Act requires internet service providers to be much more transparent about what you're actually paying for broadband. Instead of hiding fees in the fine print, providers must show you one clear, easy-to-read price on your bill that includes everything you're being charged for internet service. If they advertise a price in ads or promotions, they have to show that same clear total price there too.

The bill also bans several sneaky fees that providers commonly charge, like "network maintenance fees," "state cost recovery charges," "local access fees," and "tech support fees." These hidden charges often surprise customers when they see their bills, so this law eliminates them entirely. If you're getting an introductory rate that will go up later, the provider has to warn you about 60 and 30 days before the price changes, telling you exactly what the new price will be.

For bundled services (like internet plus TV), the same rules apply—providers must clearly show what portion of your bill is for internet and can't charge those banned fees on any part of the bundle. The Federal Communications Commission has 90 days to write the specific rules for how this all works. Essentially, this law is designed to stop the practice of advertising one price and then charging customers significantly more when they get their bill.