FCC Speed Test App for Android Smartphones

FCC releases Android app to test mobile broadband speeds

Crowdsourced Android program will collect various information about data speeds and signal strength achieved on users' smartphones to present a performance comparison for consumers. 

Maybe now we'll have some objective meaningful data to base selecting a carrier and phone.

FCC Unveils Mobile Broadband Speed Test App to Empower Consumers

Today, (11/14/2013) the Federal Communications Commission released its first public version of the FCC Speed Test app for Android smartphones. The app is available free of charge for smartphones running the Android operating system in the Google Play store. FCC Speed Test is an open-source, crowdsourcing program to assess mobile broadband performance nationwide. Developed in cooperation with broadband experts, major wireless service providers and other stakeholders, the app will provide consumers with open, transparent information on their own mobile broadband speeds. In 2014, the FCC will release interactive maps and other tools to allow consumers to see meaningful information about mobile broadband network performance around the country based on aggregate data collected by the app.

New FCC Speed Test App: How does your mobile broadband network measure up?

Our first app is for Android users, and is available for free through Google Play (an iPhone app will be available soon).  Users can run their own tests anytime to learn about their own mobile broadband performance.  The app will also test key broadband service parameters like speed and latency on a regularly scheduled basis, and send anonymous test results securely to the cloud where it will be aggregated with all other users’ data.  Results of previous tests are stored on the phone, and the automatic testing feature will provide each user with a good understanding of the actual performance of their mobile broadband network.

The FCC will rely on volunteers to download the app to help us get statistically valid data about mobile network performance.  Each volunteer’s phone that runs the regularly-scheduled tests will contribute to this effort.  With the help of volunteers for our current fixed broadband program, the FCC has been able to provide the most accurate service comparisons in the nation, which is then used by consumers, industry and policy makers to make informed decisions.  We look forward to developing tools and visualizations to help consumers use the mobile data in a similar fashion.

CTIA Statement on Speed Test App for Android Smartphones | CTIA-The Wireless Association® Blog

“Wireless carriers have been working for over a year with the FCC to expand the Measuring Broadband America program from fixed to mobile broadband services. Measuring broadband speeds in a mobile environment is a complex task with a myriad of factors that affect wireless broadband performance, many of which are outside the wireless providers’ control. Given these complexities, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with FCC staff on the interpretation of collected information as part of this initiative as well as the best way to present such information so consumers, businesses, and policymakers are provided with accurate and useful information about mobile broadband services across the United States.”

FCC Speed Test App: First Results

by: Mike Byrne and Eric Spry, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis

November 21, 2013