The Federal Communications Commission wants to know what kind of internet speed you’re getting. Is it close to the speeds your ISP advertises? Are download and upload speeds different in different parts of the country?

The agency has a web-based speed test at Broadband.gov. But you’ll need to install Java and enter your home address to use that app. Or you can download the FCC’s Broadband Quality Test app for iPhone, iPod touch, or Android and run the test in a matter of seconds.

I took both mobile versions for a spin at mobiputing and they’re actually pretty handy mobile apps, especially if you want to see if your router is giving you different speeds in different locations, or if your mobile phone provider offers better service in some parts of your home town than others.

I’d recommend running the app a few times though. I’ve never met an internet speed test that didn’t give dramatically different answers each time you ran it. The image above shows the same test running on the same home network just seconds apart.

via Engadget

CLEAR launched its citywide WiMAX network in Philadelphia a few weeks ago, but the company held an event today in the iconic LOVE Park to kick things off. I stopped by to check things out, and you know what? Citywide internet access doesn’t make for a whole lot of exciting visuals. You know, cause wireless broadband is kind of invisible until you plug it into your computer. And you can only look at so many setups of computers plugged into modems and USB dongles.

That said, the folks at CLEAR did make things interesting by hosting a balloon drop ceremony. There were about 200 balloons and each had a code for a prize. I got $8 in music downloads. Somebody is supposed to have gotten a laptop.

If you’re not familiar with WiMAX or CLEAR, here’s the deal: It’s sort of like a citywide WiFi network. You can either get a modem for your home which you can plug directly into a computer or into a wireless router to host a home network. Or you can get a USB dongle that will work from your home or on the go, but only with one computer at a time.

CLEAR promises download speeds averaging between 3 and 6Mbps with bursts of up to 10 Mbps, and download speeds of about 1Mbps. That makes it generally slower than many cable modem services, but similar to or faster than many DSL plans. And it’s a lot cheaper, with plans starting at $25/month for home use and $35/month for mobile use — with no data caps.

That’s a heck of a lot cheaper than mobile broadband modem plans available from 3G cellular networks. The down side is that CLEAR isn’t available in nearly as many parts of the country yet. It’s available in about 2 dozen cities in 9 states right now.

There are some launch specials now including an online deal where you can get a home and mobile plan for $50/month lifetime plan. CLEAR also offers voice service, so you could sign up for home internet and voice. There’s also an internet special right now allowing users to signup for home, mobile, and voice service for $70/month for life.

One feature I especially like is that you can sign up for month to month plans. You have to pay a $17.50 activation fee if you go month to month, while it’s waived if you sign up for a 2 year plan. But that’s a lot better than the signup and cancellation fees you have to deal with from most other broadband and mobile broadband internet service providers.

You can check out more photos from the CLEAR launch event in Philadelphia after the break.

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I’ve never felt the need to pay $30 to $60 a month for 3G connectivity. I live in a major metropolitan area and when I want to work away from the house, I can usually find a coffee shop, library, or other establishment with free WiFi access. But I just booked my tickets to Las Vegas for the CES convention in January. And while Vegas will be the tech and electronics capital of the world from January 8th through the 11th, I’ve heard horror stories about bloggers and journalists struggling with the free WiFi in the past. So I decided it might be useful to have a 3G card to have as a backup.

Unfortunately, most US wireless carriers try to lock you into 1 or 2 year service contracts. If I wanted to sign up for a no-commitment 3G connection, I’d have to pay $200 or more for a non-refundable 3G modem.

Fortunately, Kevin Tofel pointed me toward RovAir, a company that offers no-commitment, short term 3G access. The price isn’t cheap. Plans range from $15.95 per day to $5.95 per day, depening on how long you need the modem for. And there’s a 3 day minimum, plus a charge for shipping. So you’ll likely wind up paying at least $50 no matter what. But that’s still a lot cheaper than locking yourself into a 2 year service plan you don’t need.

RovAir basically has a number of modems that work with Verizon and Sprint’s broadband wireless networks. The company ships one of these modems to your door and requires you to ship it back when your term of service is up. You’ll also be charged extra if you use the modem to transfer more than 1GB of data per week, which makes sense since most US 3G providers cap you at 5GB per month.

I reserved a card for the week of CES for just over $100. My guess is I’ll only use it when I’m unable to access a free WiFi hotspot, to reduce the risk of going over my limit. But I’m also not planning on watching a lot of video or downloading a lot of software. I’ll probably be uploading a lot of photos and maybe some audio or videos though. I’ll let you know how my experience with RovAir pans out once the trip is over.