How To Contribute Data To CoverageMap.com

March 30, 2023
Verizon coverage map displayed in 3D on CoverageMap.com map

Uploading speed tests to CoverageMap.com helps build a better cellular coverage map for everyone. 

Contributing data to the coverage map also gives you these four benefits:

  1. You get a searchable interactive table of al your results
  2. You get your own personal map view
  3. You earn achievements
  4. You earn points for the leaderboard

So how do you contribute data to the coverage map?

Here are the four main steps to contributing speed tests to the CoverageMap.com map:

  1. Download a speed test app
  2. Run one or more speed tests on a cellular connection
  3. Export your results as a CSV file
  4. Upload your results

Let’s walk through each of these.

1. Download A Speed Test App

Speed test apps are apps that test the speed and performance of your internet connection.

The speed test app we recommend is called SpeedSmart.

SpeedSmart app store page displayed on an iPhone and a Google Pixel 7 Pro
SpeedSmart is a free app for iPhone and Android that can test your network performance

We recommend SpeedSmart because it’s completely free and available for both iPhone and Android. It has a great design, works on a network of hundreds of high-performance speed test servers for accurate results, and allows you to run as many tests as you want.

We also partnered with SpeedSmart to collect speed test data for our coverage map. 

To make things easy for you, any speed test you run in SpeedSmart will automatically show up on the coverage map in due time. 

But, if you’d like to get your speed tests uploaded faster and earn points and achievements, then you’ll export your data as a CSV file and upload it to CoverageMap.com yourself. 

CoverageMap.com also supports uploading speed test data from other speed testing apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

2. Run A Speed Test

The second step is to run a speed test. 

First, make sure your Wi-Fi is turned off so you’re using your cellular connection. 

Then, open your speed test app of choice and run a test. The app will measure your cellular download speeds, upload speeds, ping, and jitter.

We use all of these data points in our coverage map.

You can run as many tests as you’d like.

Testing the T-Mobile network speeds using the SpeedSmart application
SpeedSmart measures download speed, upload speed, ping, and jitter

We add all speed tests to the map. The more areas you test in, the more spots will get filled in on the coverage map and the better picture we will have of a carrier’s coverage. 

Be mindful that cellular speed tests consumes a lot of cellular data, especially if you have a fast connection.

You typically want a high data plan with 20GB, 30GB, or even unlimited data if you plan to run more than just one or two speed tests.

3. Export A CSV File

All speed test apps save your results as CSV files.

We use these CSV files to import data into our map.

You can export a CSV file from any of the most popular speed testing applications by following the video tutorial at the top of this article.

4. Upload Your Results

With your CSV file generated, you’re ready to upload it to CoverageMap.com.

Here are the steps:

  1. Head over to map.coveragemap.com.
  2. Click the menu button in the top left hand corner.
  3. Sign in to your Google Account if you’re not already (this makes sure you earn points and achievements for uploading your results)
  4. Click “Upload My Tests”
  5. Click and drag your CSV file into the upload box
  6. Done!

Your speed tests will be processed in real-time and will instantly appear on the map.

Thank you for contributing to this project and for making the coverage map better for everyone!

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