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The National Broadband Plan will be published on March 17, 2010.

Consumer Broadband Test

About the
Consumer Broadband Test & Deadzone Report

Ookla Net Metrics
Application & Methodology

Measurement Lab
(M-Lab) Application & Methodology

FCC
Consumer Broadband Test Privacy Statement

More About the Consumer Broadband Test (Beta)

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. Two popular consumer broadband testing tools are used in this beta
version. 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. In the future, the FCC anticipates making additional broadband testing
applications available for consumer use. The FCC does not endorse any specific
testing application.

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.

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About the Broadband Dead Zone Report

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:

For questions, or to submit your information over the telephone, call work +1-888-225-53221-888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL FCC). Information may also be submitted
by sending all required information by e-mail to [email-masked], 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

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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: [email-masked]. 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.

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Phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) | TTY: 1-888-TELL FCC (1-888-835-5322)
CONTACT
US ONLINE
Privacy
Policy | Freedom of Information Act |
Required Plug-Ins

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.

How do I add workshops schedule to my calendar?

Right click the "Add workshops schedule to your calendar" link and select
'Save Target As..' or 'Save Link As..'.

Save the 'broadband_workshops.ics' to your desktop.

If you have already configured a calendar program such as Microsoft Windows Calendar or Apple
iCal to open .ics file format, double click the file you just downloaded.
This will automatically add the workshop schedule to your calendar program.

If you do not have a calendar program installed, you can import the .ics
file to your Google Calendar.

If you are using Microsoft Outlook, select 'Import and Export..' option
from File Menu. Choose 'Import an iCalendar or vCalendar file (.vcs)' option
on the 'Import and Export' wizard and click 'Next'. Choose the .ics file you
just downloaded from the 'Browse' dialog box and click 'Ok'. The workshop
schedule will be now available on your Outlook calendar.