Measuring Broadband America FCC Speed Test App • Measuring Broadband America – Goal to improve availability of broadband network performance information. – Core principles • Provide open and transparent processes and information on broadband performance • Full disclosure of collected data consistent with our privacy policy • Collaboration with industry, academia, and other stakeholders 2 • Fixed Broadband Tests – Since 2011, the Commission has gathered data and released three reports on fixed broadband performance. – The goal was to ensure accountability, increase transparency, and enhance competition in the market. – The reports have spurred investment and helped consumers make informed decisions about the marketplace. 3 • Expansion to Mobile – We will now be expanding the program to mobile broadband networks by releasing the FCC Speed Test App for Android. – Mobile broadband is now part of consumers’ everyday lives. – We employ the same core principles. • Our goal was to develop an app that provides open and transparent information to consumers about their mobile broadband performance. • We hope this information will encourage improvements in mobile broadband networks and drive competition and fact-based decision making. 4 • Consumer privacy is our top priority. – We worked with a diverse team of privacy experts from the federal government, academia, and industry to develop policies and procedures. – Data collection is fully anonymous. No personal or identifiable information is collected. – Prior to release of data, a technical privacy expert will analyze its statistical properties to ensure anonymity and prevent re-identification. 5 • How it works – Available to download from Google Play. – Tests will run as requested by the user, and also automatically on a regularly-scheduled basis. • Measures speed, latency, and packet loss. • The app is set with a default data limit of 100 MB per month. Users may increase or decrease this amount from within the app. 6 • Performance History – Consumers can view performance history to see changes in their mobile broadband network performance over time. 7 • Why download the FCC Speed Test app? – Knowledge is power. • Easy to use. • Volunteers get detailed, free information about their own mobile network performance (e.g. speed, latency, and packet loss). – How fast is my LTE when I’m at home? What about on the metro? Is it as fast as advertised? • Like the fixed broadband measurement program, we expect transparency will both encourage wireless providers to improve their networks and provide the Commission with additional data to make fact-based decisions. 8 • Visualizing the Mobile Landscape – Early next year, we will begin releasing interactive tools to help consumers to make informed decisions. For example: • Mobile broadband maps that let consumers compare local performance. • Comparisons by technology so consumers can decide whether to upgrade their phones. • Further tools and reports based on recommendations from consumers, public interest groups, and stakeholders. 9 • We want feedback. – Everything is open source. • Inspect our code to verify its integrity and how the data collection works. • Use it! Test it! Tell us how to make it better, and what else we should be doing to empower consumers. • Contact us at feedback-mba@fcc.gov. 11