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FCC Asks You To Test Your Broadband Speeds
AnotherUsername writes "The Federal Communications Commission is asking the nation's broadband and smartphone users to use its broadband testing tools to help the feds and consumers know what speeds are actually available, not just promised by the nation's telecoms. At http://www.broadband.gov/, users enter their address and test their broadband download speed, upload speed, latency, and jitter using one of two tests (users can choose to test with the other after one test is complete). The FCC is requiring the street address, as it 'may use this data to analyze broadband quality and availability on a geographic basis' (they promise not to release location data except in the aggregate). The agency is also asking those who live in a broadband 'dead zone' to fill out a report online, call, fax, email, or even send a letter. The announcement comes just six days before the FCC presents the first ever national broadband plan to Congress. Java is necessary to run the test." Lauren Weinstein points out some of the limitations in the FCC's testing methodology.
Windows firewall pops up a warning in the middle of the test, which will likely mess up the results since it will cause a delay. Not sure I like unblocking an application that the government is sponsoring either.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
I did it from work, but said I was doing it from home. Further, I entered an address of a home (not mine) in a rural area in my state that is currently trying to get federal stimulus money because they have no broadband.
ie have the applet download some porn and measure how long it took!
Monstar L
Then there is the problem of Italian influence, and the known fact that Italo-islamic spies have placed cable splitters in all the main telecom hubs of the U.S. and Mexico
This is SERIOUS SHIT, if it is true !!
Can anyone confirm the above claim, please ??
Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !
Obviously it's Spinal Tap Syndrome. He wants them to be able to get an 11 so he's pretending they have a 10 now.
Half an address should be enough for anyone!
Then there is the problem of Italian influence, and the known fact that Italo-islamic spies have placed cable splitters in all the main telecom hubs of the U.S. and Mexico
This is SERIOUS SHIT, if it is true !!
Can anyone confirm the above claim, please ??
Minus the profanity, this pretty much typifies one of every three emails I get from my grandmother.
I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
I did it, and it says I have 26811 kbps down and 409 kbps up. I call BS. It has to be a conspiracy.
I like your thinking. This is the government asking for this after all, you can't even trust the government with your social security number! Giving them your address is just asking for trouble.
Fascism trolls keeping me up every night. When I starts a preachin', he HITS ME WITH HIS REICH!
So I'll reset my dsl modem afterward and get a new IP address. They'll still have to use their NSA computers for tracking me ;-)
Meh, it worked. I doubt the US government is going to chase me down and imprison me for it. Well, I hope not. Hang on, there's someone at the do-
which is totally what she said
do you think they will install malware on your PC?
i've lived in the US for almost 30 years and came from east of the iron curtain. you tin foil people make me laugh.
Yes because the government might figure out.....WHERE I LIVE? NOOOO!
The very fact that they are asking means they don't have it already, or are not confident with the freshness of the data they have.
Someone had to do it.
Welcome to the Libertarian party.
-- Ed Bugg --You have freedom of choice, but not of consequences.--
We'll be at your door momentarily to collect you.
When the agents knock on your door, don't try to run. It won't do you any good. Do feel free to resist though. It gives us an excuse to use violence.
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
You do know that people use the Internet for things other than entertainment, right?
How's the work on The Guide going?
I'll never make that mistake again, reading the experts' opinions. - Feynman