FCC Wants You To Test Your Internet Speeds With This New App

The Federal Communications Commission has revealed a new speed test app to which will assist to measure internet speeds across the United States, and the app is available on both Android and iOS.

The FCC Speed Test App works more like existing speed-testing apps like Ookla’s and Fast by Netflix, which will collect and displaying data once users press the “Start testing” button. According to the FCC, the data gathered through the app will notify the agency’s efforts to collect more detailed broadband speed information and aid its broadband deployment applications.

“To close the gap between digital haves and have nots, we are working to build a comprehensive, user-friendly dataset on broadband availability,” Acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement Monday. “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.”

The app is a component of the agency’s wider efforts to get more reliable broadband speed data across the US. The FCC’s current coverage maps are created from self-reported data from internet service providers like AT&T and Verizon. The process has allowed ISPs to expand their current coverage, drawing passionate criticism from broadband access advocates.

The FCC asked earlier this year. to the public to fact-check ISP data by entering in their address in the broadband maps and submitting a form here if the data described is incorrect.