The Federal Communications Commission is prepared to demonstrate a new smartphone app that will test the speeds of mobile broadband networks around the country.
The app, which has been in development for more than a year, is meant to help the FCC gauge just how competitive today’s wireless network operators are in delivering mobile broadband to consumers. The app will eventually be available to Android smartphones. There’s no word if it will be made available to other platforms. Individuals can download the app, perform speeds tests, and share the data with the FCC. If all the carriers are offering speeds that match their advertisements, then the FCC will likely determine that Americans are getting the service that they pay for. If one or more carriers underperforms compared to the others, however, the FCC may weigh new regulation to even the playing field.
The app is to be demonstrated at the FCC’s next open meeting, scheduled for Thursday, November 14. The FCC hasn’t said when the mobile speed testing app will actually be available.
