Broadband Study

Bridging the Digital Divide: One Data Point at a Time.

The University of Chicago seeks citizen science volunteers for a research project to measure home broadband performance. The project is a collaboration between the Internet Equity Initiative (IEI) and the Nimbus Group. Participants will receive a small device to measure their Internet service and a $50 gift card. Sign up below to receive a measurement device! See our FLOTO Participation Info Form and FAQs for more details about the research and what the device does.

You can also watch a video demonstrating how to install the device below. Thanks for participating!

What Does the Device Do?


The device (pictured above) measures Internet performance at the household level. Think of it as a health monitor for your home Internet service. By connecting to your existing service through your home router, the device gathers Internet speed, latency, and reliability data without interfering with your service. These data are anonymous and do not contain any information about your Internet usage. Device installation is simple and comes with detailed instructions.

Why Get a Device?

  • Help Improve Internet Connectivity: By hosting a device, you will contribute directly to the efforts of local, state, and federal governments to improve Internet performance for all. Your participation will also assist in identifying network bottlenecks and other issues that make online life a hassle.
  • Better Understand Your Connection: The device can help you understand your Internet service, empowering you with valuable insights. With a device, you can access a private dashboard to view your performance in real-time.

Device Hosting Details

  • Minimum Hosting Period: We request participants install the device for at least three months to collect meaningful data.
  • Compensation: As a token of appreciation, eligible participants will receive a $50 gift card upon completing the hosting period.
  • Data Privacy: Rest assured, all data collected is related to your Internet performance. The device will NOT collect data on what you do online or how you use the Internet.
  • Publication and Sharing: The collected data will be published anonymously and shared with our research partners for policy, funding, and research decisions.

Sign Up Now!

To apply, fill out our short online survey. This survey will help us understand your internet connectivity and whether your location is suitable for hosting a device. Please review our Participation Info Sheet before signing up.

After completing the eligibility survey, our team will review your application. We will provide the necessary equipment and support for hosting the device. If selected, you will receive an email about eligibility and the next steps to receive a device.


For any questions or further information, please contact our team at broadband-equity@lists.uchicago.edu.

Resources

Note: This page is intended for informational purposes only. Participation is subject to eligibility and availability.