Download the FCC Mobile Speed Test App
The FCC Mobile Speed Test app is designed to evaluate the performance of wireless broadband connections. The ad-free app offers three testing options: Challenge speed tests, Crowdsource speed tests and QuickCheck speed tests.
Challenge and Crowdsource tests conducted using the FCC Speed Test app play a crucial role in supporting the FCC's Broadband Data Collection (BDC) program by helping to identify where mobile broadband is and is not available across the country.
Testing options
Challenge Speed Tests are submitted to the FCC and may be used to dispute, or “challenge,” coverage data submitted by providers as part of the BDC and shown on the FCC’s National Broadband Map.
Once a Challenge test has been submitted, it will be checked to ensure that it was taken within the provider’s claimed coverage area and between the hours of 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. These validated speed tests will then be grouped together and analyzed. Once there are enough “failed” tests (those showing speeds below 5/1 Mbps for 4G, or 7/1 or 35/3 Mbps for 5G) within a certain area and at different times of day, a “cognizable” challenge will be created, which will require a response from the provider. Mobile providers must respond to all challenges by either disputing or conceding the challenge. If a provider disputes the challenge, it must do so by submitting on-the-ground speed tests, or in a limited set of circumstances, submitting infrastructure information, either of which must demonstrate that they offer mobile broadband in the challenged area(s). Learn more about what to expect after you submit a Challenge Speed Test.
Crowdsource Speed Tests allow you to test the speed of a mobile connection at a given place and time. Crowdsource tests help the FCC evaluate mobile coverage across the United States and may help the FCC to verify the accuracy of the National Broadband Map.
QuickCheck Speed Tests let you test the speed of your wireless network connection without submitting a challenge or sharing your contact information with the FCC.
Note: Only tests taken outdoors or in automobile or other moving vehicle can be Challenge tests. Tests taken indoors or over a WiFi network will not create challenges. Learn more about challenging home, or fixed, broadband availability.
Each test is assigned a unique test ID and will measure the upload and download speeds of your mobile broadband connection along with latency, packet loss and jitter.
Stakeholders interested in submitting bulk challenges can also use the FCC Mobile Speed Test App to submit Challenge Tests to the FCC. You can learn more about submitting bulk mobile challenges in these help center articles.
Providers responding to BDC challenges, verifications and audits can also use the app to gather responsive speed test data.
New FCC Mobile Speed Test App Features
Starting in 2024, in addition to a new display, the new FCC Mobile Speed Test App allows for repeated testing: you can perform back-to-back Challenge, Crowdsource, and QuickCheck tests for up to 4 hours without manually initiating a new test each time. When running a Repeated Test, you can choose the number of tests, the time intervals between each test, and the total duration of tests. Repeated tests can be a good way to test mobile coverage along a route that you drive frequently, such as your daily commute.
The app also enables Android users to conduct tests in the background on an automated schedule.
How to Get the FCC Mobile Speed Test App on Your Device
The FCC Mobile Speed Test App is available in the Google Play store for Android devices or in the Apple App Store for iOS devices. You can also search for "FCC Mobile Speed Test" in your respective app store.
The FCC Mobile Speed Test App is free to download and use. However, the data transmitted by the app will be subject to the data usage limits established by your data service plan. To minimize the impact on your data usage, the app's default setting is limited to using 1 GB of cellular data per month. You can change the data limit settings within the App.
To learn more about the App, please see our other resources: