This new app can see if your cellphone provider is 'throttling' internet speeds

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New FCC app lets you test cell phone providers broadband speeds

A new app launched by the Federal Communications Commission lets you test the speed of your cellphone provider’s broadband access.

According to the FCC, the new Mobile Speed Test app replaces the older FCC Speed Test app. New features include:

"Repeated test" function that allows users to do repeated tests without having to enter and certify information before each test. This also allows for hands-free tests while driving.
An in-app map overlay displaying the area where a test was taken.
The ability for users to log into the National Broadband Map to review their speed test results and see them on a map.

"In today’s digital world, a fast and reliable internet connection is essential for everything from education to healthcare to work and staying connected with family and friends," FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a news release. "Consumers deserve to know where they have mobile coverage and at what speeds and the FCC wants to include their experiences in our effort to create a more precise map of available coverage."

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Speed test data from the app helps to improve the accuracy of the agency’s National Broadband Map. Users can submit their tests to the FCC either as challenges to provider-reported coverage, or as crowdsource data that is used to inform the FCC’s work and policy decisions.

The app is one way to help track whether cell service providers are "throttling" data speeds to conserve companies’ bandwidth. Throttling is legal if it’s spelled out in the fine print of your cellphone or internet service contract, but it’s not legal if your provider advertised unlimited data and still throttled your speeds.

In April, the Federal Trade Commission sent $6.3 million in partial refunds to AT&T customers whose speeds were throttled despite having unlimited data plans. AT&T was accused of failing to tell customers that if they reach a certain amount of data use in a given billing cycle, AT&T would reduce speeds "to the point that many common mobile phone applications, such as web browsing and video streaming, became difficult or nearly impossible to use," the FTC said.