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

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Top Rated Comments

BeefCake 15 Avatar
47 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)
javanate Avatar
47 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
47 months ago
Or FCC could just consider buying data from Speedtest or whoever the market leaders are.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bmuir Avatar
47 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
47 months ago
Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burgman Avatar
47 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)