Posted: Mar 12, 2019, 3:20 PM
A lack of internet and cell phone service in many parts of the country has led to the development of an app designed to obtain accurate information to determine who has broadband and, more importantly, who does not.
At last week’s meeting of the National Association of Counties (NACo), the mobile app “TestIT” was launched to identify areas with low connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure. App users will be able to test their broadband speeds with the push of a button.
NACo joined with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to develop the app.
Accurate connectivity data is a foundation for investments in broadband infrastructure. Many times, however, data provided to the Federal Communications Commission is inaccurate or inflated. That leaves many rural communities overlooked and disconnected.
With the press of a button, app users will be able to test their broadband speed against the national average from anywhere. A snapshot of each sample will be sent to a database which will allow NACo and its partners to analyze connectivity across the country.
Data collected through the app will help identify areas where broadband service is overstated and underfunded.
Downloading the mobile app gives permission to collect only connectivity data from a mobile phone. Collected data includes upload speed, download speed, time of day, geographic location, IP address and connection type.
TestIT does not authorize users to allow storage of information that would associate individuals with their history of tests. The app does not collect personal or otherwise identifiable information. TestIT’s mission is to help gain access to affordable high-speed service that is essential for rural communities to compete in today’s economy.
TestIT users will also be able to check their broadband speed average against that of other countries, using the app’s Speedtest Global Index. The feature ranks mobile and fixed broadband speeds from around the world on a monthly basis.
