The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently launched its first country-wide mobile broadband performance measurement program - dubbed `Measuring Mobile America' - which will essentially test the cellphone data speed in the US.

For the comprehensive program, which marks the expansion of the FCC's current broadband measurement effort to include mobile data as well, the FCC will partner with wireless carriers, the stakeholders, and the public interest and research community.

Noting that the large-scale program will finally give the consumers all the requisite details about their mobile broadband performance, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said that the agency has already experienced, from its fixed broadband measurement effort, that "transparency on broadband speeds drives improvement in broadband speeds."

With the new `Measuring Mobile America' initiative extending the FCC's existing program to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, Genachowski is of the opinion that the process will be of great benefit to the US users of mobile devices as it will prompt the enhancement of mobile networks and plans.

Though there presently is no official disclosure about when the testing of cellphone data speeds will actually begin, the FCC is holding an open meeting on the issue on September 21, when the agency's officials will discuss the new program.

The meeting, which will be open to the public, will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p. m., at the sixth floor South Conference Room at 445 12 St. SW in Washington, D. C.