Vermont launches online tool that lets residents test their internet speeds

The Vermont Community Broadband Board launched VT Speed Check on Tuesday, a new online tool that lets residents test how fast their broadband connections are. 

On the site, Vermonters can find the speed test, a map that anonymously aggregates the results of all speed tests, tools to help them learn more about their connection and tips to solve any problems they have.

To take the speed test, residents must visit the website and download the speed test app onto a computer. Though it does work through an internet browser, the speed tests produce more accurate location information when the app is downloaded on a computer, the Vermont broadband office said. There is also a mobile app, but to get an accurate reading using it, the phone must be connected to the home’s Wi-Fi network. 

Once residents take the speed test and receive their results, Speed Check provides information to help them understand the details and navigate common problems that could result in slower speeds. On top of that, the site explains what speed levels mean, including what they can and can’t accomplish.. For example, the office explains that though two Mbps can support email, at that slow of a speed, video and downloads will likely not work. However, consistent speeds of 100 Mbps can deliver seamless video streaming, fast downloads and uploads, and enough capacity for typical home or small office use.

The website is hosted on an Esri ArcGIS platform, where residents can view interactive maps of broadband coverage across the state. The maps are populated with data anonymously aggregated from all the speed tests taken by the VT Speed Test tool. The test results are counted by location in each hexagon, grouped by their speed and shown as a percentage of tests. 

The quality of the results is color-coded, with poor connections showing as no color, fair connections showing in shades of brown, and the better connections showing in shades of green.

These results will also help the Vermont broadband office determine which locations in the state need extra support to strengthen internet connections, according to VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist. 

“Taking speed tests is so important. It’s about transparency and accountability for the individual and the state,” Hallquist said in a news release. “Vermonters can run a speed test and troubleshoot problems they’re having with their Internet, and we’ll be able to see results on a bigger scale to help us pinpoint areas that are having challenges and need more focus from us. We are asking all Vermonters to visit VT Speed Check, test your speed, and test it often.”