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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]
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Comments
17
Subscribe to commentsJaredMar 12th 2010 11:13AM
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.
bkandMar 12th 2010 5:07PM
Thats hilarious I can't get on the broadban.gov site.
gomobileMar 12th 2010 6:10PM
Lovely test but for the more than the average Joe or Jane, do they have a clue what these speeds mean?
willowMar 15th 2010 12:07PM
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.
pulsefireMar 12th 2010 8:25PM
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.
Sally GMar 24th 2010 7:21AM
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.
RobertMar 15th 2010 10:54AM
this article and its links make me nervous i didnt click on any of them
harryMar 12th 2010 9:59PM
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!
joannechristieMar 15th 2010 5:51PM
Harry..........r u sure this works & safe.
danMar 12th 2010 11:33PM
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
mannyftwMar 13th 2010 1:28AM
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.
JameyMar 13th 2010 12:10AM
www.speedtest.net
ronb247binMar 15th 2010 9:17AM
iv got comcast an it sucks
balugablue21Mar 15th 2010 9:56AM
when the gov't goes socialist get rid of your computers
KenMar 15th 2010 10:12AM
hmmm..seems that my ISP is lying to me, I get alot more then what I pay for!!!
DebbieMar 15th 2010 10:31AM
ok, so now what do I do with it? These numbers don't mean anything to someone like me.
BenjaminMar 15th 2010 11:16AM
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.