How fast is your internet?
As the COVID19 pandemic has forced many people to work from home and attend school online, having access to high-speed internet is more important than ever. As a result, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) released a survey that will measure internet access and speed for Alabama residents and businesses. State officials will use the data from the survey to locate gaps in broadband service and find ways to fill these gaps for areas that are underserved or lack minimum coverage.
By taking the survey here, you can help ADECA locate areas that need improved internet service.
Note: your information and address are confidential and will not be made public.
What does the test measure?
The speed survey test measures download, upload, ping, and jitter speed. What does that say about your broadband?
DOWNLOAD: Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), download speed refers to how quickly you can get content like streaming video to your device over a network.
UPLOAD: Measured in megabits per second (Mbps), upload speed refers to how quickly you can send content like photos from your device to a social media site over a network.
PING: Measured in milliseconds (ms), ping refers to how quickly a device on one network can transfer information to a device on another network. Rapid reaction times are a good indicator of fast internet speed.
JITTER: Measured also in milliseconds (ms), jitter refers to the variation between ping time. If the jitter result is low, this means that your pings are consistent and reliable.
What if your internet IS slow?
Although the goal of this survey is to gather data to increase statewide broadband service, there are also a few things you can do if you notice your internet connection is slow. First, try rebooting your router. Most experts even recommend rebooting your router every few months. Make sure your router is not surrounded by clutter, as this can sometimes interrupt the signal. You may also want to check that there are no extra devices on your network, such as a neighbors “piggybacking” on your service. If so, make sure to change your privacy settings and update your password.
We encourage you to participate in this survey, as the information you can provide is valuable to identify coverage gaps across the state. Faster internet awaits!