Whether you're a diehard iPhone or Android fanatic or a recent inductee to these popular devices

This new application from Cisco will help you quickly understand the "gist" of what your network speed can deliver at any given time.

Sample Cisco GIST application screen for iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices.

Cisco GIST Testing Methodology

Speed tests are performed by downloading a known quantity of data from a server nearest to your location. Cisco GIST is hosted on Akamai's EdgePlatform – a network of over 80,000 secure servers worldwide. The size of the data is different for the different types of network connections, so that the test will take roughly the same amount of time from the user's perspective. For a cellular network test, 256KB are downloaded. For wireless, 512 KB are downloaded. A single download is performed, timed in milliseconds, and results are reported in terms of 1000 bits per second (kbps). Test results might be impacted by network routing, traffic, congestion and the responsiveness of our server. Results might also vary by the user's geographical location.

Users can submit their test location enabling the global user community to learn the places with the fastest speeds and compare cellular and Wi-Fi speeds with iPhone, and Android users around the world.

User Speed Classifications

Web Grade (150Kbps - 449Kbps):
Your connection can support Web browsing, email, text messaging and other basic tasks.

Music Grade (450Kbps - 749Kbps):
Your connection is good enough for audio streaming or downloads and basic web browsing.

SD Video Grade (750Kbps – 1149 Kbps):
Your connection can support standard definition rich media content.

HD Video Grade (1150Kbps and Greater):
Your connection is strong enough to support high definition rich media content.

Current Version 3.0

Requirements

Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch.
Requires iPhone 3.0 Software Updates.

GIST Application FAQs