Instructions:
This site enables Virginia public libraries to test both the download and upload speeds of their Internet connections. The process for testing speed is very straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
Select your library: There are two ways to do this: you can either zoom to your county on the map and then click on your library's icon, or you can select your library system, followed by your outlet from the menus above.
Once you have made a selection, information identifying your library will appear in this window.
Test your speed: Verify that you have selected the correct library and then click the "Test my speed" button. A window labeled "Virginia Tech eCorridors Web100 based Network Diagnostic Tool (NDT)" should appear. (You may have to disable any pop-up blockers to allow this.) This is a program that will measure the amount of data that can be transmitted and received over your Internet connection in a fixed time interval. You may be asked to allow or trust code from Virginia Tech in order to authorize this application to run. It is safe to do this - Virginia Tech is our partner in this initiative, and was the developer of this website. You may also be asked to install the Java Runtime Environment if you do not have it installed already. Once the applet has loaded, click the "START" button to begin the test.
Save your results. Once the test has finished, click "Return to Map". The speed testing window will disappear and your test results should be displayed along with the other information about your library. Click the "Submit" button to save your results back to the database. You should receive a message informing you that all was successful, and you should be able to zoom to your library on the map, click on it and see that your results are now displayed.
* Note that some library locations on the map may not be exact.
Description of FCC Broadband Tiers
Tier number
Tier Name
Connection Speeds
0
1st Generation Data
200 kbps to 768 kbps
1
Basic Broadband
768 kbps to 1.5 mbps
2
Broadband Tier 2
1.5 mbps to 3 mbps
3
Broadband Tier 3
3 mbps to 6 mbps
4
Broadband Tier 4
6 mbps to 10 mbps
5
Broadband Tier 5
10 mbps to 25 mbps
6
Broadband Tier 6
25 mbps to 100 mbps
7
Broadband Tier 7
greater than 100 mbps
This icon indicates that the speed has not been run for this Library.
