The LinkIDAHO Mobile Test (powered by Mobile Pulse) is a network data performance monitoring tool made possible by funding from the State Broadband Initiative. By installing this app, you are supporting LinkIDAHO’s efforts to map broadband access across the state of Idaho. The purpose of this app is to measure mobile cellular availability. As a participant in our network validation project, your cell phone will complete a quick network test every few days. The test to measure the performance of your carrier’s network is automatic—once installed, no other action is required. The periodic test will not interfere with cell or data usage and has a minimal impact on your battery life. Your location and test results are completely anonymous. As no personal information is transmitted, your privacy is fully protected. This app will use a maximum of 100 MB data per month and is automatically programmed to cease testing for the month once the 100 MB threshold has been reached. Testing will resume on the first day of the following month.

Test results are combined with all other LinkIDAHO mobile tests in the area to verify your carrier’s coverage and advertised speeds. Your participation in this program helps the state assess your carrier’s coverage, speed and reliability in order to improve performance and connectivity going forward.

FAQ:
* Why should I participate?
Better wireless performance and connectivity helps everyone. Not only do you and your family rely on the wireless network, but adequate cell coverage and speeds are critical to police, fire and other emergency services. Each test the app performs provides valuable information about where wireless services need improvement in your community.

* What information is being collected from my device?
The app only cares about the performance of the wireless network (upload, download and latency) and the location of the test. There is not any association of other information to you or your device. It is completely anonymous, and no personal information of any sort is being collected.

* What about data usage?
The app ceases testing when it reaches the data consumption limit of 100 MB per month. (A typical data plan is in the 1-4GB/month range. It is recommended, however, that residents with no data plan or those with very small data allowances per month should not install the app.

* What about my privacy?
The Mobile Pulse app collects no personal information and never asks for identifiable information. The tests only gather network performance metrics and the location where the test is taken. There is no way for anyone to know who was at the test location. Personal information, such as your phone number, is never collected. You can read the full privacy policy on Mobile Pulse’s website.

* Will my phone be spammed or filled with advertisements?
No. Volunteers running the testing app will never receive any ads, marketing or solicitations prompted by this application. Advertisements will not be displayed. You will not be asked for your email, phone number or any other means of contacting you. The purpose of this app is SOLELY to study mobile wireless connectivity and speeds.

* Are there other services like this?
The Mobile Pulse app works similarly to the traffic feature on Google Maps. The Google Maps app records your vehicle’s speed and location and then combines the anonymous test results with other Google Map users to show traffic congestion. Mobile Pulse uses this same concept, but for wireless network performance.

* What if I want to discontinue using the testing app?
You can delete the app from your device at any time.

Can I disable the application without deleting it?
Yes, you can temporarily disable the application by following the instructions for the app settings on your device.

Go to http://linkIDAHO.org to learn more about the broadband mapping effort going on in your state.