FCC's debuts iOS speed test app to map performance of U.S. broadband services

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Comments

  • Reply 21 of 42
    Yeah, no thanks. I'm not inviting the Feds onto my phone. There's a reason they targeted Android first, and I want no part of it. No foil hat needed, either. If anyone actually trusts Big Brother, I feel sorry for them.
  • Reply 22 of 42
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by starbird73 View Post





    I must be one of those "tiny few weirdos" that enjoys technology.



    This app goes beyond telcos, including DSL and cable and fiber providers, and with my limited usage of the app so far? It is pretty nice. In fact, the setup has a place to put a monthly cap in the amount of data it uses. And suggests 100 MB. Then gives you a warning any time you run it after that cap is hit.

    I'd recommend zero k.  100MB of your mobile device's space to store analytics data for the government?  Also think you could stop by this weekend and mow their lawns too?  It also tells you when it's eaten up a bunch of space?  Wow, that is really not amazing in any way. :no:

     

    As a tech nerd, I'd much rather download the long standing, reliable and free Speedtest.net app, than watch the FCC needlessly waste time developing redundant functionality by burning my tax dollars in front of my eyes.

     

    It's like the Post Office spending money to code up their own branded email client, because a company that provides a free client has an ad to help pay for the app's development.

  • Reply 23 of 42
    I doubt anything is going to come out of this. The FCC had an app back in 2010, partnered with Ookala. Nothing ever came out of the numerous complaints about slow 3G speeds or slow wifi speeds. This seems like a ruse from the cable lobbyist that sits in the chairman's seat. Even when the idea was announced under Genokowski, it was a laugh.
  • Reply 24 of 42
    redefiler wrote: »
    <div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/162186/fccs-debuts-ios-speed-test-app-to-map-performance-of-u-s-broadband-services#post_2477990" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false">Quote:<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>starbird73</strong> <a href="/t/162186/fccs-debuts-ios-speed-test-app-to-map-performance-of-u-s-broadband-services#post_2477990"><img alt="View Post" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br />I must be one of those "tiny few weirdos" that enjoys technology.<br /><br />This app goes beyond telcos, including DSL and cable and fiber providers, and with my limited usage of the app so far? It is pretty nice. In fact, the setup has a place to put a monthly cap in the amount of data it uses. And suggests 100 MB. Then gives you a warning any time you run it after that cap is hit.</div></div><p>I'd recommend zero k.  100MB of your mobile device's space to store analytics data for the government?  Also think you could stop by this weekend and mow their lawns too?  It also tells you when it's eaten up a bunch of space?  Wow, that is really not amazing in any way. <img alt=":no:" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies/1oyvey.gif" /></p><p> </p><p><span style="line-height:1.4em">As a tech nerd, I'd much rather download the long standing, reliable and free Speedtest.net app,</span><span style="line-height:1.4em"> than watch the FCC needlessly waste time developing redundant functionality by </span><span style="line-height:1.4em">burning my tax dollars in front of my eyes.</span></p><p> </p><p>It's like the Post Office spending money to code up their own branded email client, because a company that provides a free client has an ad to help pay for the app's development.</p>

    Not storage space, like flash does on macs. How much bandwidth it will take.

    Look, I am not big on conspiracy, and iOS is sandboxed, and that is enough for me. I am sure that this app will be ripped apart far more completely be third parties/"hacktivists" than any other app.
  • Reply 25 of 42
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Iphone 3gs View Post



    You can't get it on iPhone 3GS it needs iOS 7 image ????

     

    Time to upgrade so.

  • Reply 26 of 42
    Won't this only test the speed of your WiFi connection and not your actual broadband speed?
  • Reply 27 of 42
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,033member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cheesehead Dave View Post



    Won't this only test the speed of your WiFi connection and not your actual broadband speed?

    WiFi is typically much faster than the broadband connection it is attached to.

     

    For example, 802.11n is about 300-450Mbps (depending on antenna configuration). Most people don't have broadband service providers that offer such speeds, at least here in the United States. The newer 802.11ac standard is twice as fast as 802.11n -- about 1Gbps.

     

    For the average consumer, one's landline ISP will be the network bottleneck, not one's WiFi router. For example, Comcast's premium consumer broadband service tops out around 105Mbps.

     

    Like other broadband speed measuring apps, the FCC app categorizes both mobile (cellular) and WiFi connections.

     

    When connected to a mobile (cellular) network, these apps directly test the phone company's connection speed.

  • Reply 28 of 42
    One of the things the FCC should study is the level to which Americans trust their government to collect data about them on their smart devices. The FCC could determine how revelations about the NSA's activities are impeding technological progress. This could help the government understand how important it is to have limits on wholesale spying and oversight of the NSA.
  • Reply 29 of 42
    [IMG]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/38905/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

    They're crazy if they believe, I'm going to believe, they're just collecting speeds and iOS types!
  • Reply 30 of 42
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



    The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday released a broadband speed test tool for iOS that not only provides instant feedback on current network health, but also aggregates anonymized speed and location data to maintain a nationwide performance map.

     
    ...



    As part of its Measuring Broadband America initiative, the FCC rolled out its FCC Speed Test tool to create a map of nationwide broadband speeds. The app was first launched on Android last fall, reports re/code.



    In the effort to map out the nation's network speeds, the FCC says no unique or persistent identifiers will be associated with collected data. Cell tower identifiers, GPS location data and other "passive" metrics will, however, be stored in the sandboxed app for user review. Along with the network health information, the anonymous data is intermittently uploaded to the FCC's servers for aggregation.



    ...



    ... Users concerned over privacy issues can delete the app and its associated data at any time.

     

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by GrangerFX View Post



    One of the things the FCC should study is the level to which Americans trust their government to collect data about them on their smart devices. The FCC could determine how revelations about the NSA's activities are impeding technological progress. This could help the government understand how important it is to have limits on wholesale spying and oversight of the NSA.

     

    My first thought was, why would someone install and app from the government on their phone? In the comments above....since when do we even start to believe a government agency.

  • Reply 31 of 42
    haggarhaggar Posts: 1,568member

    Does this support the Retina iPad resolution?  Speedtest.net currently runs in screen doubled mode on Retina iPad.

  • Reply 32 of 42
    joshajosha Posts: 901member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Iphone 3gs View Post



    You can't get it on iPhone 3GS it needs iOS 7 image ????



    You're not missing anything, I expect it's mainly Gov  spyware.      Just use SpeedTest.net .

  • Reply 33 of 42
    joshajosha Posts: 901member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by redefiler View Post

     

     

    The bigger question is why the FCC needs to be in the mobile apps biz at all.  Not sure the Federal government should be anywhere near web development, their other online efforts have been far from awesome.

     

    Why do they really need customized apps to collect data that telcos are legally required to provide, and can be forcefully audited for?

    Nobody is going to download this, but a tiny few weirdos, so its basically a useless cherry for some overpaid wonk to claim as resume item for bringing "mobile applications" to the FCC.


    Good point, the carriers speeds are none of their business.

    Unless of course they are spying on your other mobile activities.

    Google knows  this info from their android phone spying, that info should be adequate for the overstaffed spying Gov.

  • Reply 34 of 42
    weironfire wrote: »
    400

    They're crazy if they believe, I'm going to believe, they're just collecting speeds and iOS types!
    weironfire wrote: »
    400

    They're crazy if they believe, I'm going to believe, they're just collecting speeds and iOS types!

    Isn't one of the chief complaints of iOS the lack of cross-app data sharing? Yet because the FCC name is on this, everyone is assuming they, somehow, got around Apples policies?

    The Jerry Fletcher types amuse me. Is our government a bunch of criminal geniuses? Or a bunch of ignorant buffoons? The same people tend to, beyond all logic, believe both.
  • Reply 35 of 42
    Originally posted by Starbird73
    "Isn't one of the chief complaints of iOS the lack of cross-app data sharing? Yet because the FCC name is on this, everyone is assuming they, somehow, got around Apples policies?

    The [URL="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118883/"]Jerry Fletcher[/URL] types amuse me. Is our government a bunch of criminal geniuses? Or a bunch of ignorant buffoons? The same people tend to, beyond all logic, believe both."

    I just don't like seeing loop holes for them. What is considered a "legitimate request" by law enforcement? Something I've learned in life was not to trust them. Trust them to use information I voluntary give them the right way...? There always is someone that wants to use what you do against you. Paranoid or cautious? I say cautious.
  • Reply 36 of 42
    weironfire wrote: »
    Originally posted by Starbird73
    "Isn't one of the chief complaints of iOS the lack of cross-app data sharing? Yet because the FCC name is on this, everyone is assuming they, somehow, got around Apples policies?

    The Jerry Fletcher types amuse me. Is our government a bunch of criminal geniuses? Or a bunch of ignorant buffoons? The same people tend to, beyond all logic, believe both."

    I just don't like seeing loop holes for them. What is considered a "legitimate request" by law enforcement? Something I've learned in life was not to trust them. Trust them to use information I voluntary give them the right way...? There always is someone that wants to use what you do against you. Paranoid or cautious? I say cautious.
    I give you all that. But what data are they really going to get? That I accessed a speed test on a given cell tower? That's all they get.
  • Reply 37 of 42
    starbird73 wrote: »
    weironfire wrote: »
    Originally posted by Starbird73
    "Isn't one of the chief complaints of iOS the lack of cross-app data sharing? Yet because the FCC name is on this, everyone is assuming they, somehow, got around Apples policies?

    The Jerry Fletcher types amuse me. Is our government a bunch of criminal geniuses? Or a bunch of ignorant buffoons? The same people tend to, beyond all logic, believe both."

    I just don't like seeing loop holes for them. What is considered a "legitimate request" by law enforcement? Something I've learned in life was not to trust them. Trust them to use information I voluntary give them the right way...? There always is someone that wants to use what you do against you. Paranoid or cautious? I say cautious.
    I give you all that. But what data are they really going to get? That I accessed a speed test on a given cell tower? That's all they get.

    That might be what law enforcement needs to go after someone. They love to connect "the dots" against people they believe is committing a crime. Location approximation can be twisted. I just want transparency like Apple with the NSA. But I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything.
  • Reply 38 of 42
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by starbird73 View Post





    Not storage space, like flash does on macs. How much bandwidth it will take.



    Look, I am not big on conspiracy, and iOS is sandboxed, and that is enough for me. I am sure that this app will be ripped apart far more completely be third parties/"hacktivists" than any other app.

     

    Ah so the FCC made a data alarm app?  That's even more pointless and unnessecary for a government agency, where 100% of it's budget is money taken by force from the people.

     

    You don't need to imagine up any conspiracies for institutionalized bureaucratic waste and over-reach.  Save your ghosts, aliens and Illuminatit for your other affairs.

  • Reply 39 of 42
    aaronjaaronj Posts: 1,595member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by redefiler View Post

     

     

    The bigger question is why the FCC needs to be in the mobile apps biz at all.  Not sure the Federal government should be anywhere near web development, their other online efforts have been far from awesome.

     

    Why do they really need customized apps to collect data that telcos are legally required to provide, and can be forcefully audited for?

    Nobody is going to download this, but a tiny few weirdos, so its basically a useless cherry for some overpaid wonk to claim as resume item for bringing "mobile applications" to the FCC.


     

    Yeah.  It's not as if the entire Internet was created, essentially, by the government.

     

    Oh, wait.

  • Reply 40 of 42
    redefilerredefiler Posts: 323member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AaronJ View Post

     

     

    Yeah.  It's not as if the entire Internet was created, essentially, by the government.

     

    Oh, wait.


    I think what you meant to say: It's not as if Eisenhower started the space race, and as a side effect, the core technology for the internet was created.

     

    If you'd like to shift this debate to whether it was a good idea for the government to invest in the space program in the mid 20th century vs. the FCC making redundant mobile phone apps that already exist in 2014, let me go get a cat.  You do your little best crafting your arguments, while my cat mashes the keys with his paws and still wins.

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