When measuring broadband access and affordability in a community, the data that ISPs report to regulators often paints a rosier picture than what residents actually experience. In-home speed tests are a critical tool for digital equity work because they capture the truth on the ground, in the homes of the people most likely to be underserved. Advertised speeds reflect a best-case scenario under ideal conditions, while low-income households, rural residents, and communities of Color are disproportionately likely to be on older infrastructure, shared connections, or plans that throttle during peak hours.

In partnership with Fresno State, we’re launching a study to measure the real cost, quality, and speed of internet access across Fresno County households. Using household surveys and Raspberry Pi devices installed in participating homes, the study will collect verifiable, community-sourced data on internet speeds, reliability, and pricing. It is also designed as a replicable model that counties across California can adopt. 

Participating households will be stratified into three distinct bands—high-poverty urban neighborhoods, rural communities, and affluent areas—to examine whether and how broadband quality, cost, and plan structures vary across the socioeconomic spectrum. We will oversee on-the-ground outreach efforts led by Fresno Housing and regional labor organizations such as State Center Federation of Teachers, Communications Workers of America, and Fresno Teachers Association, who serve as trusted messengers within the Fresno community.