This is a plea for help in conducting an experiment for the horological community. Many people compare the accuracy of their fine timepiece to the time on their cell phone. They, as have I, assume that this signal which is received from cell towers is accurate but it may not be so. I would like to compile some data as to the accuracy of these devices to help out the general horological community. Will you help me out?

Here is what you need to do:
For the next 5 days check the time of your cell phone compared to the time at www.time.gov
Download the excel spreadsheet here (right click and choose save as)
Fill in the values in the spreadsheet and email it to me at the end of 5 days.

The very adventurous could check their phone multiple times a day in multiple locations and report the results. (Feel free to modify the spreadsheet as needed)

Below is an image of the Excel Spreadsheet. Fill in the phone Make, Model, and Network Info. Visit Time.gov and compare the time on your phone with the time at the web page (sample image below) (circled in red). Fill in the error given (circled in blue). At the end of 5 days email me the spreadsheet. I’ll fill it all in and let the community at large know how accurate our cell phones tend to be.

Note: If your phone doesn’t show the seconds be sure to wait until the minute clicks over and record the time.gov time at the changeover.

CellTime.xls

P.S. Comments from those of you with first hand experience in the world of cell phones on accuracy would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

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