Internet Providers in Rio Grande do Norte Must Disclose Actual Speeds on Bills
Internet service providers in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, will be required to report the actual internet speeds delivered to customers on their monthly bills. This new regulation applies to companies offering mobile internet and post-paid broadband services. The operators must separately detail the daily average speeds for both data reception (download) and sending (upload). The determination was officially published on Thursday, February 2nd, and will take effect in 90 days.
To ensure fair calculation, the average speed will exclude data recorded between midnight and 8 AM, a period typically characterized by lower network traffic and better performance. The law mandates that this information be presented in an easily understandable format, such as graphs or other visual aids, to enhance consumer comprehension. This measure aims to increase transparency regarding service quality, allowing consumers to monitor their internet speed relative to their contracted plan throughout the month.
Companies failing to comply with this new norm will face penalties outlined in the Consumer Defense Code. Additionally, an administrative fine ranging from 500 to 5,000 UFIRNs will be imposed, with the exact amount determined by the offense's severity, any benefit gained by the company, and its economic standing. The UFIRN is a state fiscal index used to adjust fine amounts over time.
This legislative action in Rio Grande do Norte addresses a critical information asymmetry in the digital services market. By mandating the disclosure of actual internet speeds, the regulation aims to empower consumers with verifiable data, fostering greater accountability for service providers. The exclusion of off-peak hours from average speed calculations is a notable attempt to mitigate potential manipulation of performance metrics. Looking ahead, such transparency initiatives are likely to become more prevalent as digital infrastructure becomes increasingly central to economic and social life, potentially driving a competitive landscape where service quality, not just advertised speeds, becomes a key differentiator. This could also spur innovation in network management and reporting technologies to meet evolving consumer and regulatory expectations.
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