FCC launches official speed test app for broadband data collection program

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion edited April 2021
The FCC's official speed test app is live on the App Store, allowing customers to test the performance of their in-home and mobile broadband networks.




The Federal Communications Commission has launched an official speed test app to help collect data amid bipartisan calls to update broadband standards.

The app, called "FCC Speed Test," will show users their network performance test results, which they can directly compare against what their ISP says they should get. In addition to the test results, the app also sends the results to the FCC as part of its Measuring Broadband America Program.

As part of our Broadband Data Collection effort to collect comprehensive data on #broadband availability across the U.S., we're encouraging the public to download the FCC's Speed Test app. https://t.co/fv0IMpYUKC

-- The FCC (@FCC)


Before consumer data collection efforts, the FCC went by ISP self-reported data only. Historically, the FCC calls an entire service area that spans about 50 square miles sufficiently covered if even only a single address had access to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds.

It isn't clear if the speed test app will change the coverage area delineations, or will have any real impact on what the FCC defines as broadband.

Broadband customers can share their broadband experiences using this form on the FCC website. Additional consumer resources and information about the collection program are available here.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    DangDaveDangDave Posts: 98member
    The App that comes up has been around for 7 years?
    doozydozenjcohwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 8
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,105member
    I already have a couple on my phone and a different pair on my computer.
     I find running different tests give you a better idea how your connections will perform in real use.
    edited April 2021 doozydozenwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 8
    doozydozendoozydozen Posts: 539member
    DangDave said:
    The App that comes up has been around for 7 years?
    Yes
  • Reply 4 of 8
    baconstangbaconstang Posts: 1,105member
    Downloaded the FCC test and ran it on my 12 mini.  96 Mbs down, 16 Mbs up
    Re-Ran it using Ookla that I have on my phone.  631 Mbs down, 17.1 Mbs up.
    Both tests over WiFi via Comcast.

    Different tests choose different routes, which obviously makes a huge difference, generally on download speed.
    edited April 2021 watto_cobraGeorgeBMac
  • Reply 5 of 8
    jcohjcoh Posts: 23member
    Yes. This app has been around for years. Not sure why this article thinks it was just launched.   
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 8
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,296member
    jcoh said:
    Yes. This app has been around for years. Not sure why this article thinks it was just launched.   
    Because the FCC promoted it in a tweet earlier today, and nobody really has heard of it. But perhaps the reporter inferred that it was a new version of the app when it isn't -- but neither is this version "seven years old."

    According to the App Store, it was last updated four months ago.
    watto_cobraGeorgeBMacStrangeDays
  • Reply 7 of 8
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    That's great!  I'm glad to see them get involved in this mess we call broadband.

    But, it's not just the broadband speed.
    My grandson's house gets 750Gbs into the house but the peripheral devices only see a third of that even though they're running a mesh WiFi system.

    It's like getting a truckload of water but 2/3's evaporates before you can use it.

    I'm thinking that if I was building a new home I would run ethernet to every room as well as the porches.
  • Reply 8 of 8
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,877member
    GeorgeBMac said:
    That's great!  I'm glad to see them get involved in this mess we call broadband.

    But, it's not just the broadband speed.
    My grandson's house gets 750Gbs into the house but the peripheral devices only see a third of that even though they're running a mesh WiFi system.

    It's like getting a truckload of water but 2/3's evaporates before you can use it.

    I'm thinking that if I was building a new home I would run ethernet to every room as well as the porches.
    That sounds normal. Wifi is a compromise, speed for ease of use. Even with a mesh network, there’s loss and it won’t be as fast as a wired ethernet connection. 
    GeorgeBMac
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