Transparency Press Release - Public Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

April XX Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253

Email: [email protected]

FCC SEEKING VOLUNTEERS IN BROADBAND PERFORMANCE STUDY

Tests Conducted in 10,000 Homes Will Increase Transparency in Broadband Markets

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission is seeking 10,000 volunteers to participate in a scientific study to measure broadband performance in the United States. The study is part of the ongoing effort to implement recommendations in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan that call for increasing competition in broadband markets by providing consumers with more information.

Similar to a study conducted last year in the United Kingdom, specialized hardware will be installed in the homes of 10,000 volunteers nationwide to track broadband speed and performance metrics of all the major Internet service providers in the country across a representative sampling of geographic locations and service tiers. The hardware will measure actual broadband speeds delivered by providers to the home, independent of factors that can affect broadband performance within the home, such as using multiple PCs or accessing high-volume websites. The FCC is partnering with SamKnows Limited in this effort, the same firm that successfully conducted the UK broadband performance study.

This study will yield a wealth of valuable data about the performance of this country’s broadband networks, and will culminate in a “State of Broadband” report, to be released later this year, which will detail the findings of this effort and their implications for the broadband marketplace.

The FCC already took steps in March to help consumers understand their broadband service, introducing Consumer Speed Test tools that can test the service levels consumers experience on their home PCs. The two tests are designed to complement each other, and collectively will provide an end-to-end view of broadband performance. The tests are also key components of the Broadband Action Agenda, announced earlier this month, which details a number of planned initiatives designed to foster competition and maximize consumer benefits across the broadband ecosystem.

The FCC encourages any citizens that wish to be a part of the test panel to register as volunteers for the Broadband Community panel at www.TestMyISP.com.Volunteers will be able to track the performance of their own broadband service, as well as provide valuable data to the FCC, Internet service providers, and that public at large that will illuminate this important issue.

--FCC--

For more information about the National Broadband Plan, go to www.broadband.gov

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