Buying a modem or router yourself has several advantages: it is generally better than what your ISP offers, and you don't need a new modem or router if you want to change providers or upgrade your connection. Plus, using ISP equipment incurs an extra monthly fee, and who wants to add that to their Internet bill?

However, some companies, like Frontier, charge a monthly fee even if you use your own equipment; the U.S. government spending bill, scheduled to take effect in June 2020, outlines new requirements for broadband (and TV) providers that would prohibit such nonsense The bill states. According to the new law, ISPs cannot charge for "use of covered equipment provided by the consumer" or for renting or leasing covered equipment when "the provider did not provide the equipment to the consumer." That nice new gaming router you got while on vacation, don't pay $10 or $15 extra a month to use it.

Speaking with Ars Technica, Frontier said it will comply with the new law. Until then, it will continue to charge customers a monthly lease fee for routers and modems "regardless of whether they use them or not. The company said this is because non-Frontier routers "increase complaints and make troubleshooting more difficult." Other ISPs, such as Spectrum, provide a list of certified modems that work with their networks or put their logo on the modem box, and they do not charge router lease fees.

The law also establishes a "right to transparency." This means that ISPs will be required to provide a detailed list of service charges before consumers sign a contract, and to include a detailed list on their monthly bills. Consumers also have the right to cancel their contracts without penalty, but this applies only to new customers and not to existing customers.

The law does, however, allow the FCC to extend the June 2020 effective date by up to six months if it determines that there is "good cause." In other words, if the FCC so determines, the new consumer protection law could actually take effect in January 2021. In the meantime, Frontier can continue to charge unnecessary rental fees and ISPs can generally continue to deceive their customers about pricing.

According to the FCC (as of December 2018), Frontier serves about 12 percent of the U.S. Ars Technica asked Frontier if it intended to raise prices "to make up for the revenue it will lose" due to the new law, but the company had no comment.