FCC Releases Apps to Test Broadband Coverage

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posted Mar 11, 2010, 8:15 PM   by Philip Berne

The Federal Communications Commission today announced the release of a mobile tool to help consumers test the wireless broadband coverage in their area. The mobile version of the Consumer Broadband Test is available in the Apple iPhone App Store and the Android App Market. The test checks download speed and network latency using the Ookla, Inc. Speet Test and the Network Diagnostic Tool running on the M-Lab platform. Should consumers find a broadband dead zone, the mobile app will allow them to report the street address of that location. This will help the Commission formulate its National Broadband Plan. As part of the plan, the FCC will also gather data to help consumers understand the gap between real world broadband performance, and the advertised maximum speeds. Though the mobile app is available initially for the iPhone and Android devices, the FCC has made clear that it does not endorse any specific platform, and additional testing apps will be available in the future.

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