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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

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

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Or FCC could just consider buying data from Speedtest or whoever the market leaders are.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I feel like this is a good cause by a not so great agency.

A governing body of its type should be chosen by the people.

 

[jav6454]

Or FCC could just consider buying data from Speedtest or whoever the market leaders are.

Agreed. But Speedtest uses a mix of hosts which can yield to much variation. I have tried such.

 

[javanate]

Nice idea but it self selects, the people with the worst service and circumstances probably aren't downloading FCC apps

 

[clayj]

Installing a Federally-produced app on your smartphone -- what a GREAT idea. </sarcasm>

 

[BeefCake 15]

Hopefully it doesn't track the user's data.

I don't want the government getting their hands on my social security number!

 

[javanate]

Installing a Federally-produced app on your smartphone -- what a GREAT idea. </sarcasm>

Your social credit has decreased 1 point

 

[HudsonSteele]

I don't know why, but this makes me uneasy.

 

[e2w]

FCC? Oh, these guys. Entirely trustable having their hooks on my phone. I'll pay handsomely to cut the line to be first in, after all it IS the FCC and they do nothing but good in the world.

 

[burgman]

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?

 

[dlopan]

This thread needs to be in the political area. FCC couldn't do anything if it tried,

 

[BuffaloTF]

I wonder what server they’re using... and where. I have gig service... and I registered at 131 mbps. Speedtest.net I hit 700 off my Wi-Fi. No differences other than the geographically selected server that I can visibly see...

 

[Bmuir]

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.

 

[kycophpd]

My road is a mile from the nearest broadband so we only get 3Mb down DSL. All of my neighbors have just went to using cell phones where we get about 25-30Mb on a good day. So the few that might use this test will show “broadband speed” because we refuse to keep the DSL so the FCC thinks we have broadband. FCC map shows we have broadband.
Meanwhile, the church on a major road near me chose to keep their 6Mb service instead of upgrading to the 100Mb available to them. So they got a grant on the last round to improve their speeds since they show 6Mb or lower when visitors use their WiFi. The whole process is lacking.

 

[gaximus]

Or FCC could just consider buying data from Speedtest or whoever the market leaders are.

Those results aren't accurate, as ISPs pay SpeedTest for favorable results.

 

[Westside guy]

I can't imagine why they don't want to rely on Comcast's own speed test data... 😁

 

[jimbobb24]

Those results aren't accurate, as ISPs pay SpeedTest for favorable results.

Thanks for this info. Had no idea.

 

[Corsig]

Yeah I’m going to go ahead and say “No”

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Can't they just use their regulatory powers to glean the data from the carriers directly?

 

[k1121j]

Agreed. But Speedtest uses a mix of hosts which can yield to much variation. I have tried such.

Exactly not to mention what are they testing the speed package that people buy 🤷‍♂️ In their area the results must be a very light measurement of what people actually have.

 

[discounteggroll]

the developer of this app is "SamKnows"...lol no thank you

‎SamKnows Apps on the App Store

‎Download apps by SamKnows, including RealSpeed, SamKnows - Test Your Internet, and Original-FCC Speed Test.

apps.apple.com

 

[Olsonist]

I downloaded this and it was spamware. Moreoever, it was obviously spamware. Why would the FCC only release a tool like this on iOS? MacRumors, you should delete this posting.

 

[Packers1958]

I downloaded this and it was spamware. Moreoever, it was obviously spamware. Why would the FCC only release a tool like this on iOS? MacRumors, you should delete this posting.

Because you downloaded the wrong one. When you search for FCC speedtest, the first app that appears is Speedtest master. That's not it.