Test Your Broadband Using the FCC's New Site

U.S. Federal Communications Commission wants to keep up with its promises to expand its ways of helping consumers and has introduced new tools to the Broadband.gov Web site meant to allow users measure their broadband speeds or to report unavailability of broadband. The agency will gather information to study broadband performance and availability and will protect consumers' privacy.

On Thursday the FCC said it has added the Consumer Broadband Test and the Broadband Dead Zone Report features to Broadband.gov.

"Transparency empowers consumers, promotes innovation and investment, and encourages competition," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski pointed out in his announcement. "The FCC's new digital tools will arm users with real-time information about their broadband connection and the agency with useful data about service across the country. By informing consumers about their broadband service quality, these tools help eliminate confusion and make the market work more effectively."

With the help of Consumer Broadband Test broadband quality indicators like speed and latency can be easily analyzed due to two known broadband testing tools: the Ookla Speed Test and the Network Diagnostic Tool, using the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) platform. According to the FCC, other broadband testing tools will be added in the future. Furthermore, for those interested, a mobile version of the app, the first mobile app released by the organization, can be found in the Apple and Android app stores.

U.S. residents have other options to report on broadband availability like e-mailing the FCC at fccinfo@fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

The FCC will use the data gathered from the tools to analyze broadband performance and availability, the agency said. , the FCC said.