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Consumer Broadband Test

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About the Report

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About the Consumer Broadband Test (Beta)

The purpose of the Consumer Broadband Test (Beta) is to give consumers additional information about the quality of their broadband connections and to create awareness about the importance of broadband quality in accessing content and services over the internet. Additionally, the FCC may use data collected from the Consumer Broadband Test (Beta), along with submitted street address, to analyze broadband quality and availability on a geographic basis across the United States.

The Consumer Broadband Test, currently in beta, is the FCC’s first attempt at providing consumers real-time information about the quality of their broadband connections. Because measuring broadband speeds with software tools is not an exact science, we are providing two popular consumer broadband testing tools in this Beta version: Ookla and M-Lab. Both will enable consumers to test the quality of their broadband connection by transferring a small temporary file back and forth and measuring the results. Users will be randomly assigned to one of the two chosen testing tools: Ookla or Network Diagnostic Tool (NDT) running on the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) platform, or they can choose their preferred tool by using links on this page. Each test is likely to provide a different result, and the differences may be significant in some cases. While the tests will give consumers some information on relative speeds, the FCC does not endorse either one as being a definitive testing method. In the future, the FCC anticipates making additional broadband testing applications available for consumer use. The FCC does not endorse any specific testing application.

Read Measuring Broadband America, the first nationwide performance study of residential wireline broadband service in the United States.

What do the applications do, and how accurate are they?

This application will transfer a small amount of generic data back and forth between your computer and a testing server. More detailed methodology is explained below. The applications attempt to find a server that is relatively close to your location, in order to provide accurate results.

Please note that the Consumer Broadband Test in its current software based form may not be an accurate representation of connection quality provided by your broadband provider. The results can be impacted by a range of factors -- for instance, the test can vary based on the geographical distance of the user from the testing server, end-user hardware, network congestion, and time of day. However, this application can provide a helpful indicator in comparing consumers’ relative broadband connection quality and in understanding the performance metrics of broadband connections.

What does speed mean?

The test measures your bandwidth, in terms of the rate at which data can be transmitted between your computer and the testing servers. Your "speed" determines the time it takes to receive or send data; the download speed refers to the rate from the testing server to you, and the upload speed is from you to the testing server. It is measured in terms of how many kilobits of data you can transfer per second (kb/s). File sizes are normally indicated in terms of "bytes," and a byte is equal to 8 bits. In other words, 1000 kilobits per second is equal to 125 kilobytes per second.

What do latency and jitter mean?

We also provide a measurement of latency, which is the time it takes for a single packet to be sent from your computer to the testing server and then back again (the "round trip time"). This is measured in milliseconds. Latency will be greater across longer distances (i.e., if you are farther away from a testing server), and can also be impacted by a range of other factors, including network congestion. Jitter is a measure of the variability in latency. Latency and jitter can particularly impact the performance of real-time applications, such VoIP and gaming.

Is there a Mobile version of the Broadband Consumer Test?

Yes, the FCC has released a free Mobile Consumer Broadband Test for the Apple iPhone and Android mobile platforms. The official name of the App is the “FCC Broadband Test.” This tool can be downloaded to your Apple or Android enabled device by accessing the App Store on your handheld phone. For more information about the Apple App Store, go here: http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone/. The Android app market is available here: http://www.android.com/market/.

This beta version is the FCC’s first attempt at providing Americans with real-time information about their broadband connection quality. The FCC will continue to explore ways to improve user experience and the feature sets of these tests.

About the Testing Applications and Methodology:

This application will transfer a small temporary file back and forth to test the quality of your broadband connection:

  • Download Speed: The speed at which data is sent from the testing server to your computer.
  • Upload Speed: The speed at which data is sent from your computer to the testing server.
  • Latency: The time it takes for data to be sent from your computer to the testing server and back (the "round trip time").
  • Jitter: The variability in the delay between your computer and the testing server.

Users will be assigned to one of the two chosen testing tools: Ookla or M-Lab, or they can directly choose one of these tools at the links at the bottom of this page. The FCC requires the street address from where you are connecting to the internet because it may use this data to analyze broadband quality and availability on geographic basis.

About the Broadband Dead Zone Report

I do not have broadband at home

Broadband Dead Zone Reporting Form

The Broadband Dead Zone Reporting Form provides your household with the opportunity to voluntarily participate in the FCC's effort to pinpoint areas in the United States where Americans are unserved or underserved by broadband access. Should you choose to complete this voluntary form, please note that the information you provide will not be used for purposes other than what is stated herein nor will it be disclosed.

Download the Broadband Dead Zone Reporting Form: Download PDF file

For questions, or to submit your information over the telephone, call 1-888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL FCC). Information may also be submitted by sending all required information by e-mail to , by fax to +1-877-627-7460, or by postal mail to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
ATTN: Broadband Unavailability Reporting

445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

FCC NOTICE REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995

The public reporting for this collection of information is estimated at .017 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the required data, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. If you have any comments on this burden estimate, or how we can improve the collection and reduce the burden it causes you, please write to the Federal Communications Commission, AMD-PERM, Paperwork Reduction Project (3060-1129), Washington, DC 20554. We will also accept your comments regarding the Paperwork Reduction Act aspects of this collection via the Internet if you send an email to: PRA@fcc.gov. PLEASE DO NOT SEND COMPLETED DOCUMENTS TO THIS ADDRESS.

Remember - You are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not conduct or sponsor this collection, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number or if we fail to provide you with this notice. This collection has been assigned an OMB control number of 3060-1129.

THE FOREGOING NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995, PUBLIC LAW 104-13, OCTOBER 1, 1995, 44 U.S.C. SECTION 3507.

Capture The Phone Numbers Using Your Camera Phone

If you have a camera and a 2D matrix code reader on your mobile phone, you can capture the FCC Phone numbers right to your phone by following these three easy steps:
Step 1: Take a photograph of one of the codes below using the camera on your mobile phone.
Step 2: Use your phone's Datamatrix or QR Code reader to decode the information on the photograph. Please note, these code readers are device specific and are available to download on the internet.
Step 3: Store the decoded address information to your phone's address book and use it with your Maps or GPS application.

Datamatrix and QR FCC Phones

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