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The Federal Communications Commission wants to know what kind of internet speed you’re getting. Is it close to the speeds your ISP advertises? Are download and upload speeds different in different parts of the country?

The agency has a web-based speed test at Broadband.gov. But you’ll need to install Java and enter your home address to use that app. Or you can download the FCC’s Broadband Quality Test app for iPhone, iPod touch, or Android and run the test in a matter of seconds.

I took both mobile versions for a spin at mobiputing and they’re actually pretty handy mobile apps, especially if you want to see if your router is giving you different speeds in different locations, or if your mobile phone provider offers better service in some parts of your home town than others.

I’d recommend running the app a few times though. I’ve never met an internet speed test that didn’t give dramatically different answers each time you ran it. The image above shows the same test running on the same home network just seconds apart.

via Engadget