Montana

Montanans asked to take internet "speed test"

Posted: Jul 14, 2012 4:26 PM by David Sherman - MTN News

The State of Montana is asking residents to help in its efforts to map broadband services across the state by going online and taking an internet speed test to determine the speed of their internet connection.

Officials say that taking the speed test is quick and easy.

To take the test, visit mtbroadband.org and click on the "Test Your Broadband Speed" button.

The website will then display the internet connection speed and at the same time collect data that will help with the statewide broadband mapping project.

The site also offers a glossary of terms to help you understand the results.

The information collected will help update and verify the Montana broadband coverage map, which was first released in 2010 and is updated every six months. Updates are based on data received from internet providers, computer modeling, public source documents, and crowd sourcing, such as the speed test.

Accurate maps help communities work with internet providers to obtain these services and help the providers determine where there is a market for expanded services. In areas that already have robust broadband technologies, economic development officials can use the map to promote their areas as broadband ready.

The more businesses and residents that take the speed test, the more accurate the broadband map will be.

The program is also recruiting volunteers to be repeat test takers to continue to assist in validating the data.

Here is the privacy policy of the test:

The Montana speed test web site is being used by the State of Montana to gather information about Internet connectivity across the State. The information collected will be used to help build and verify the Montana and National maps. If you agree to participate (Opt-in), information such as your Internet transmission speed, Internet provider, computer IP address, and geographic location will be collected and used to develop the Montana and National maps. Neither your name, email address, or any personal information other than geographic location will be collected.