Is Your ISP Lying? FCC Offers Tools to Test Surfing Speed
There are two ways to test your broadband. First, you can visit the FCC's site and simply enter your street address. Don't worry, the government doesn't want to spy on you. The FCC hopes that compiling geographic data on broadband speeds could help bring about policy change that would force providers to regulate coverage areas and speeds. Second, the FCC is also offering apps that'll test the connection for both the iPhone and Android phones, which you can download from the respective app stores. If you're in a broadband "Dead Zone," the FCC still wants you to complete a report on the site or call this number: 888-CALL-FCC.
We're testing our broadband speeds now, and you should, too. It's time to hold those ISPs accountable, folks. Let's put their claims to a test. [From: Wired and FCC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jared said 11:13AM on 3-12-2010
The wireless internet revolution is slowly approaching. Before planning comes statistic compilation. Once all said date has been compiled, the true wonders of free WiFi nation wide may be just around the corner.
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bkand said 5:07PM on 3-12-2010
Thats hilarious I can't get on the broadban.gov site.
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gomobile said 6:10PM on 3-12-2010
Lovely test but for the more than the average Joe or Jane, do they have a clue what these speeds mean?
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willow said 12:07PM on 3-15-2010
I have no idea what these numbers mean but I ran the test 3 times on each of the 2 services they offer and got what I consider to be very different numbers between services and somewhat different numbers between tests on the same service. In essence it doesn't seem to be very helpful for a person with limited knowledge. I imagine that people who understand these numbers better may already have a good idea of what kind of speed they have already.
pulsefire said 8:25PM on 3-12-2010
OK, maybe this is a bit paranoid, but why does the FCC want my address to run an ISP speed test?? McAfee, C-NET and several others have been offering an internet speedometer for years and they don't ask for this info. I've glanced at the FCC "privacy policy" statement and it states that they won't release ISP info or IP address info except to some companies that supposedly have something to do with the test. Those companies, however, CAN release this info. Sorry, Uncle Sam, but you've already got more information about me than I would care to voluntarily divulge. Hell, they'll probably track me down anyway by following this post.
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Sally G said 7:21AM on 3-24-2010
Not paranoid at all—this can be done without street address given, also free, by other services—search for “broadband speed test”. I was going to do it until I hit that registration screen and read the privacy policy.
Robert said 10:54AM on 3-15-2010
this article and its links make me nervous i didnt click on any of them
harry said 9:59PM on 3-12-2010
i use a speed test all the time and for free @ http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ and it has different areas to choose from it works great!
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joannechristie said 5:51PM on 3-15-2010
Harry..........r u sure this works & safe.
dan said 11:33PM on 3-12-2010
I got news for you! Their tracking you and storing the info....READ the privacy statement!! Ask yourself WHY do they need this info??? big brother jerks.
The FCC is collecting and storing street addresses, IP addresses, and broadband performance information through these speed tests. (The FCC is not collecting email addresses through these speed tests.) The street addresses will not be released, disclosed to the public, or shared with any outside entities, including Ookla and M-Lab, except in the limited circumstances... bla bla bla
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mannyftw said 1:28AM on 3-13-2010
They need your address so they can compile a map of where the dead spots are and what kind of speeds you get where. Think the AT&T vs Verizon maps, they're going to do something similar and use it as a push to get broadband for everyone. If they wanted our information that bad I seriously doubt they'd ask for it. Remember, this is the government you're talking about.
Jamey said 12:10AM on 3-13-2010
www.speedtest.net
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ronb247bin said 9:17AM on 3-15-2010
iv got comcast an it sucks
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balugablue21 said 9:56AM on 3-15-2010
when the gov't goes socialist get rid of your computers
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Ken said 10:12AM on 3-15-2010
hmmm..seems that my ISP is lying to me, I get alot more then what I pay for!!!
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Debbie said 10:31AM on 3-15-2010
ok, so now what do I do with it? These numbers don't mean anything to someone like me.
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Benjamin said 11:16AM on 3-15-2010
Well it's all a jip either way you look at it. Because we'd have to pay a ton, for dsl etc. .Where I live . We've kept using dial-up. Had alot of friends claim that my connection was faster than theirs. I get internet for cheaper than they do. ISP lowered the cost on dial-up. All I do online is chat and play poker.
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