FCC Asks Americans to Use FCC Speed Test App to Measure U.S. Broadband Availability - MacRumors
Skip to Content

FCC Asks Americans to Use FCC Speed Test App to Measure U.S. Broadband Availability

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission today called on Americans to test their internet speeds with the FCC Speed Test app to further its research into broadband availability through the Measuring Broadband America Program.

fcc broadband app
The FCC says that the data collected on broadband network performance across the United States will help its efforts to provide improved coverage information to the public.

"To close the gap between digital haves and have nots, we are working to build a comprehensive, user-friendly dataset on broadband availability. Expanding the base of consumers who use the FCC Speed Test app will enable us to provide improved coverage information to the public and add to the measurement tools we're developing to show where broadband is truly available throughout the United States," said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.

The app, which is available on iPhone and iPad, allows consumers to measure the speeds of their mobile and in-home broadband networks. It evaluates download and upload speed, latency, jitter, and packet loss, and it tracks speed data over time.

In addition to providing the FCC with granular broadband deployment data, in the future, it will be used to challenge provider-submitted maps when Broadband Data Collection Systems become available.

Tag: FCC

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple to Release These 15 New Products Later This Year

Friday June 12, 2026 7:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual WWDC developers conference is drawing to a close, but there is still a lot to look forward to in the second half of the year. Apple is expected to release at least 15 more products later this year. Now that the more intelligent and personal version of Siri has finally arrived in beta, a full two years after Apple first previewed it at WWDC 2024, we should begin to see some new ...
iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Tuesday June 9, 2026 11:29 am PDT by
If you pay for extra iCloud storage on your iPhone, beyond the 5GB included for free, you might receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. First, Apple said there will be daily usage limits for some of the new and enhanced Apple Intelligence features on iOS 27, including image generation. However, the company noted that "increased access" is available with "most" iCloud+ storage ...
Apple Logo Top Half

Have One of These 16 Apple Devices? Software Support Ends This Fall

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple will end software support for 16 devices this fall across four product lines, with the Apple Watch seeing the most sweeping cull in the product's history. The full extent of this year's software drops became clear with the announcements of macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27, and watchOS 27 at WWDC this week. The one bright spot is that iOS 27 features identical device support to...

Top Rated Comments

BeefCake 15 Avatar
68 months ago

Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.
I don't want the government getting their hands on my social security number!
Score: 64 Votes (Like | Disagree)
68 months ago

Installing a Federally-produced app on your smartphone -- what a GREAT idea. </sarcasm>
Your social credit has decreased 1 point ;)
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
68 months ago
Or FCC could just consider buying data from Speedtest or whoever the market leaders are.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
68 months ago
So, the idea is that this will provide the FCC with unbiased and unaltered speeds directly from the people. Comcast forces Speedtest to show better results than your actual speeds (this is why Netflix started fast.com, since users were reporting faster results from Ookla).

I see this as laying the groundwork for broadband as a utility. They need to see what true speeds are around the country and if telcoms are being truthful.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
68 months ago
Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burgman Avatar
68 months ago

Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.
You might read the privacy, or more accurately lack of, in all the speediest test apps. Especially speedtest. Other than Tinfoil hat stuff what could the FCC do with data you give away multiple times a day for free?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)