It’s time to bring rural Texas and America up to speed with broadband. To help the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) collect comprehensive data on broadband availability across the U.S., the agency is encouraging Americans to download its speed test app.

The app is currently used to collect speed test data as part of the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America program.

The app provides a way for consumers to test the performance of their mobile and in-home broadband networks. In addition to showing network performance test results to the user, the app provides the test results to the FCC while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of program volunteers.

“To close the gap between digital haves and have nots, we are working to build a comprehensive, user-friendly dataset on broadband availability. Expanding the base of consumers who use the FCC speed test app will enable us to provide improved coverage information to the public and add to the measurement tools we’re developing to show where broadband is truly available throughout the United States,” said Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

The network coverage and performance information gathered from the Speed Test data will help to inform the FCC’s efforts to collect more accurate and granular broadband deployment data.

The app will also be used in the future for consumers to challenge provider-submitted maps when the Broadband Data Collection systems become available.

A task force was developed earlier this year to help implement “long-overdue” improvements to agency broadband data and mapping tools.

More information about the app is available on the FCC website.

The FCC Speed Test App is available in the Google Play Store for Android devices, and in the Apple App Store for iOS devices.