Sensing the World Around You
Mobile Broadband Speed Test
How many times a day do you grab your phone to look something up on Google or scroll through the news or social media? You probably don't even notice how often - until you end up in a "dead zone" with no signal. Suddenly, you are frustrated because you can't connect to something that feels like a big part of everyday life. But what is this service we rely on so much? How does it work? Why doesn't it work everywhere? And is there a way to know where these dead zones are before you get stuck in one? Keep reading to learn what mobile broadband is and how you can help make it better for everyone.
If you use the internet on your phone through your cell phone plan, you are using something called mobile broadband. This is not the same as the Wi-Fi you use at home. With mobile broadband, your phone ( or another device) can connect to the internet while you are moving around - whether you are walking, driving, or traveling far from home. It works using a small chip called a SIM card. SIM cards are found in cell phones, portable Wi-Fi devices, and USB internet sticks.
When you search for something on a device with a SIM card, your request is sent through radio waves to the nearest cell tower. That tower is connected to the internet using special cables called fiber-optic cables. Then, the information you asked for is sent back to your device very quickly. How fast this works depends on your phone company and how new your device is. Phones that can use 5G - the newest type of mobile connection - are the fastest. Older devices that use 2G, 3G, or 4G are slower. In general, 5G phones can download things from the internet at speeds between 10 and 20 gigabits per second. But mobile broadband doesn't work everywhere. You need to be near a cell tower, and some places don't have enough of them. This is what causes those frustrating dead zones. Where towers are placed depends on things like the shape of the land and how many people live or use phones in that area.
Measuring Mobile Broadband Speeds
Mobile broadband speeds can be different depending on your phone company and how new your device is. But one thing is always true - you pay a lot for this service, so you should get what you pay for. The best way to check how fast your mobile internet really is - and to speak up if it's too slow - is by using the FCC Mobile Speed Test app. This free app is made by the Federal Communications Commission and works on both Android and iPhones. You can find it in your phone's app store.
Once you have this app downloaded you can do the following:
Quick Check
Crowd Source Speed Test
Challenge Speed Test
When you use this test, you will see how fast your device can upload and download data. This information is private and won’t be shared with the FCC. if you want to help make the FCC's broadband map better or disagree with what your service provider says about your broadband speed, choose one of the other options.
If you conduct this test the information about your broadband speed will be shared with the FCC. This information will be used to keep the National broadband map current.
If you think your cell phone provider isn’t giving you the speeds they promised in your contract, you can take a challenge test. You can do this test anywhere your provider offers service, but only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Your results will be grouped with results from other people in your area who use the same provider. If enough tests fail, the FCC will contact the provider to look into the issue.
A test is considered a failure if:
Upload Your Data
After you run your speed tests, make sure to upload your data. This information helps create a heat map showing how radio signals are used across the country. The more times you upload your data, the higher you can climb on the Leader Board! The Leader Board is updated on the first day of each month and shows who has uploaded the most test results. Keep testing, keep uploading, and help improve the big picture of wireless service in your area!
Leader Board