Accurate connectivity data is the foundation for investments in broadband infrastructure. Unfortunately, connectivity data provided to the Federal Communications Commission is often inaccurate and inflated – leaving many rural communities overlooked and disconnected.

NACo has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Farm Credit to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country.

“TestIT” is an iOS/Android mobile app that leverages a broadband sampling tool designed by Measurement Lab (MLab) to aggregate broadband speeds across the country from app users. With the press of a single button, users will be able to test their broadband speed from anywhere. Additionally, users will be able to compare their internet speeds to the national average and minimum standards established by the Federal Communications System. No personal information will be collected through this mobile app.

A snapshot of each sample will be sent to a database which will allow NACo and partners to analyze connectivity data across the country. The data collected through this app will help identify areas where broadband service is overstated and underfunded by comparing the data to the National Broadband Map.

Your help identifying gaps in our nation’s broadband coverage is critical to making substantive changes to the process for reporting broadband service. We hope you will help shed light on this critically important issue and encourage your friends, family and constituents to join in the efforts as well!

Why test results might vary from other speed tests?

Internet performance tests may provide different results for a lot of reasons. The TestIT app uses a Network Diagnostics Tool (NDT) designed by Measurement Labs (MLabs) to measure connectivity speeds. Three of the main reasons for different results among tests are listed below:

1. Differences in the location of testing servers

Every performance test has two parts:

client: This is the software that runs on the user’s machine and shows the user their speed results.

server: This is the computer on the Internet to which the client connects to complete the test.

A test generates data between the client and the server, and measures performance between these two points. The location of these two points is important in terms of understanding the results of a given test.

If the server is located within your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) own network (also known as the “last mile”), this is referred to as an “on-net” measurement. This approach lets you know about how your Internet connection is performing intra-network within your ISP, but it does not necessarily reflect the full experience of using the Internet, which almost always involves using inter-network connections (connections between networks) to access content and services that are hosted somewhere outside of your ISP. Results from on-net testing are often higher than those achieved by using other methods, since the “distance” traveled is generally shorter, and the network is entirely controlled by one provider (your ISP).

“Off-net” measurements occur between your computer and a server located outside of your ISP’s network. This means that traffic crosses inter-network borders and often travels longer distances. Off-net testing frequently produces results that are lower than those produced from on-net testing.

M-Lab’s measurements are always conducted off-net. This way, M-Lab is able to measure performance from testers’ computers to locations where popular Internet content is often hosted. By having inter-network connections included in the test, test users get a real sense of the performance they could expect when using the Internet.

2. Differences in testing methods

Different Internet performance tests measure different things in different ways. M-Lab’s NDT test tries to transfer as much data as it can in ten seconds (both up and down), using a single connection to an M-Lab server. Other popular tests try to transfer as much data as possible at once across multiple connections to their server. Neither method is “right” or “wrong,” but using a single stream is more likely to help diagnose problems in the network than multiple streams would. Learn more about M-Lab’s NDT methodology.

All NDT data collected by M-Lab are publicly available in both visualized (graphic), queryable, and raw (unanalyzed) forms.

3. Changing network conditions and distinct test paths

The Internet is always changing, and test results reflect that. A test conducted five minutes ago may show very different results from a test conducted twenty minutes ago. This can be caused by the test traffic being routed differently. For example, one test might travel over a path with broken router, while another may not. A test run today may be directed to a test server located farther away than a test run yesterday. Additionally, IPv4 and IPv6 routes may take different physical paths. Some IPv6 routes may be tunneled through IPv4, from the client, or at any point after the client depending on local network management.

In short, running one test will give you a sense of network conditions at that moment, across the best network path available at that time, to the specific server coordinating the test. But because Internet routing and infrastructure change dynamically, testing regularly and looking at the data over time are much more reliable ways to gauge representative performance.

Related News

Phone emergency alert
Advocacy

FCC opens comment period on modernizing the nation's alerting systems

On August 11, the FCC issued a request for public comment on the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, to determine if alternative regulatory approaches would better maximize the usefulness, effectiveness and resiliency of the public safety systems.

cover photo
Advocacy

NACo sends letter to Capitol Hill urging restoration of MS-ISAC funding

NACo sent a letter to congressional appropriations leadership urging federal funding for the Multi State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Image of cyber-monthv2.jpg
Advocacy

DHS announces new round of funding for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new round of funding for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)

Image of 1280px-White_House_06.02.08.jpg
Advocacy

White House releases AI Action Plan: What it means for counties

The White House releases America’s AI Action Plan, a national framework to guide artificial intelligence infrastructure initiatives and federal policymaking across a range of priority areas.

cover photo
Advocacy

Congress considers moratorium on state and local AI lawmaking: What it means for counties

The U.S. Senate’s reconciliation bill text includes a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI policymaking.

bike
Advocacy

NACo Legal Advocacy: Federal Communications Commission, et al v. Consumers' Research, et al

Federal Communications Commission, et al v. Consumers’ Research, et al. (FCC v. Consumers’ Research) could jeopardize what is known as the Universal Service Fund (USF). Through the USF, the FCC has provided billions of dollars to local governments and our residents, helping provide essential telecommunications and broadband services to unserved and underserved communities. FCC v. Consumers’ Research challenges the FCC’s legal authority behind the USF, putting multiple programs essential to equitable broadband deployment at risk. 

Upcoming Events

A man keys in numbers on a calculator
Webinar

Transforming County Payouts with Real-Time Innovation

Thursday, September 4, 2025 |  2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time 

Discover the technological evolution of county disbursements and how digital finance transformation can mitigate risks and enhance operational efficiency. As counties strive to modernize their legacy systems and reduce costs, staying ahead of technology trends is crucial. This session will explore how counties can leverage the latest advancements in real-time disbursements to revolutionize their payout processes. Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends and practical use cases that showcase the journey from outdated payout processes to advanced technology disbursements. 

A woman types her credit card information into a laptop computer
Webinar

Seamless Implementation, Frictionless Experiences: Best Practices for Transitioning to a Countywide Payment Solution

Government payment ecosystems are complex, often spanning multiple departments, legacy technology, and evolving compliance and reporting regulations. While transitioning to a new system can present challenges, clear objectives and success metrics, as well as a well-structured testing and implementation plan ultimately leads to better outcomes for residents and staff. 

A group of people gather around a board to collaborate
Webinar

Unity in Uncertainty: Partnership-Powered Resilience

In today’s rapidly changing operating environment, local government leaders face unprecedented challenges. This training equips local government leaders with collaborative strategies and partnership frameworks to navigate uncertainty and complexity, emerging stronger and more resilient. Comprehensive partnerships and diverse perspectives can solidify and fortify operations during uncertain times. 

2155090853
Conference

NACo AI Central Regional Forum

Hennepin County, Minnesota​

The NACo AI Regional Forum series is convening local government elected officials, appointed officers, department heads, and staff across different geographical regions to provide an educational, hands-on symposium on the landscape of artificial intelligence.

A lock guards lines of data
Webinar

Securing Coverage: How Counties Can Navigate Cyber Insurance Hurdles

Safeguarding counties from cyber attacks in today's complex digital environment is a formidable challenge, especially when faced with tight budgets, limited resources, and the competing demands of diverse stakeholders. Cyber insurance offers a crucial safety net, but many counties find themselves grappling with the affordability and management of such coverage.

Join us for an exciting discussion with experienced county leaders as we uncover the hurdles governments face in securing cyber insurance. We will explore the evolving cyber threat landscape and reveal how a comprehensive cyber insurance assessment can offer practical solutions to bolster defenses and streamline coverage acquisition. 

View of city with points of connected lights
Webinar

Rise of the Machine: Risk and Governance in the Age of Algorithms

As artificial intelligence transforms every sector, local government officials face challenges and opportunities. This essential training provides a foundation for navigating AI’s impact on election infrastructure and other critical government services, focusing on potential risks, safeguards, and practical strategies to mitigate these risks. Working together, local officials and their partners possess the means to reduce risk and secure their systems against threats.