The FCC has had a speed-testing app since 2013, but under Acting President Jessica Rosenworcel, more Americans are being asked to download and use the software (which you can get on Android and iOS). In doing so, the agency says it will help you gather more accurate information about the speed and availability of broadband internet in the US. In turn, the information will help guide its policies.
If you used Ookla (or any other speed test app, for that matter), what you offer here will not surprise you. Press the “Start Test” button and the software will measure your download and upload speeds, as well as slow down your connection. If you really want to get bored, you can also set it to measure jitter and packet loss as well. Keep in mind that if you want to help the FCC gather better data on broadband availability, you want to test your WiFi connection. It is also noteworthy that the FCC states that you will protect your privacy and confidentiality if you decide to share any information with it.
“To reduce the gap between digital and non-notes, we are working on building a comprehensive, user-friendly data set on broadband availability,” Rosenworcel said. “Expanding the base of consumers using the FCC Speed Test app will enable us to provide improved coverage information to the public and add to the measurement tools we develop to show where broadband really is in the United States. States are available. “
The accuracy of the FCC’s coverage maps has been a known issue for years, with a 2019 study from Microsoft finding that approximately 163 million people do not have access to the Internet with or above broadband. This is compared to the 25 million that the agency estimated at the time. The current maps mostly contain data directly from ISPs such as Comcast and Verizon (the owner of Engadget’s parent company, Verizon Media), which led to the problem in the first place.