Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler announced on Tuesday an iOS version of the organization's Speed Test app at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The app, which is also available on Android, allows users to to test the performance and speed of their Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Users can get stats on upload and download speeds, latency and packet loss.
[seealso slug="high-speed-internet-access/"]
The Speed Test apps are part of the FCC's Measuring Broadband America program, which aims to improve broadband service in the U.S. By using the apps, users are helping the FFC crowdsource data on mobile-network performance.
"While we believe the app is useful in informing you regarding your phone’s performance, by downloading the app, you are also supporting our open broadband-data program, contributing to the information we make freely available to the public on the nation’s mobile-broadband performance," James Miller and Walter Johnson, members of the FCC's office of engineering and technology, wrote in a blog post announcing the release.
Although the FCC will use the information gathered by its Speed Test apps to compile reports, the organization said no personally identifying information will be collected.
"The information you do provide from testing your mobile performance will help inform everyone about the quality of broadband performance in your area," Miller and Johnson said.
The iOS app is available in Apple's App Store. An Android version of the app was released last November.