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FCC introduces first mobile app to analyze broadband performance

The Federal Communications Commission launched new digital tools that let consumers test their broadband service and report areas where broadband is not available.

The Consumer Broadband Test measures broadband quality indicators such as speed and latency and reports that information to consumers and the FCC. The mobile version, which is the FCC?s first mobile application, is available through the Apple and Android application stores.

?Transparency empowers consumers, promotes innovation and investment, and encourages competition,? said Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC, Washington, in a statement. ?The FCC?s new digital tools will arm users with real-time information about their broadband connection and the agency with useful data about service across the country.

?By informing consumers about their broadband service quality, these tools help eliminate confusion and make the market work more effectively,? he said.

The fixed version of the Consumer Broadband Test is available at http://www.broadband.gov.

Two popular broadband testing tools are used in this beta version - the Ookla Inc. Speed Test and the Network Diagnostic Tool (NDT) running on the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) platform.

In the future, the FCC anticipates making additional broadband testing applications available for consumer use.

Flatlined zones
The Broadband Dead Zone Report enables Americans to submit the street address location of a broadband ?Dead Zone? where broadband is unavailable for purchase. 

The Broadband Dead Zone Report form is available on http://www.broadband.gov.

Consumers can also submit availability information by email to .

Those who lack online access can call the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC, send a fax to 1-877-627-7460, or mail the information to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
ATTN: Broadband Dead Zone Reporting
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

These tools help the FCC gather data to analyze broadband performance and availability on a geographic basis across the United States. 

Use of the tools is voluntary.

The FCC said it is committed to protecting the personal privacy of consumers using these tools, and will not publicly release any individual personal information gathered. 

Speed read
The National Broadband Plan, which will be unveiled next week, also contains a series of recommendations aimed at helping consumers understand the gap between actual broadband speeds delivered and the maximum speed tiers advertised.

Working recommendations include a scientific third-party study on actual broadband performance, a working group to help inform standards for broadband speeds, and further proposals on disclosure needs for fixed broadband services, such as a ?digital label.?

These proposals will further the goals of disclosure and transparency and empower consumers to drive competition in a technology-neutral manner.

?We are offering these tests for people using broadband and the reason is because we are very intent in helping consumers learn about this service and what they are getting,? said Joel Jurin, chief of the consumer and governmental affairs bureau of the FCC, Washington.

?We want to help consumers see if the speeds they are getting is what they were promised and also get a sense of what broadband speeds mean,? he said. ?If they can relate them to their experience it helps people get a sense of how the service works.

?This is about teaching consumers and transparency for the industry.?