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FCC to investigate real broadband speeds
09 Apr 2010 | 22.06 Europe/London
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced today that it has awarded a contract to SamKnows, a UK firm that measures broadband speeds, to do exactly that for US internet users.
Last month the FCC set up a speed test application on its website blogband.gov, and there are many more such applications available. The problem with these software-based tests is that they can be affected by multiple external factors, including slow home computers, internet traffic patterns and network congestion.
To overcome this issue, the FCC invited bids for a third-party to test the absolute speeds that providers deliver - and chose the UK's very own SamKnows as its technical partner. SamKnows carried out a similar project last year for UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, which showed that consumers often receive speeds substantially lower than those advertised.
Giving consumers more information about the performance of their broadband connections is one of the key policy aims in the FCC's National Broadband Plan, which was unveiled last month. The FCC says this information will help customers make informed choices, describing it as "the next step in the process of increasing transparency and competition in the broadband market".
Writing in a blog, FCC advisor Dave Vorhaus said:
The FCC is expecting to install devices in about 10,000 homes, according to the Wall Street Journal, which titled its article "FCC Data Testing to Stimulate British Economy?".
The FCC plans to release a public notice in the next few days describing SamKnows' technical approach and methodology.
In related news, the FCC also released its action plan agenda for the National Broadband Plan today.
Last month the FCC set up a speed test application on its website blogband.gov, and there are many more such applications available. The problem with these software-based tests is that they can be affected by multiple external factors, including slow home computers, internet traffic patterns and network congestion.
To overcome this issue, the FCC invited bids for a third-party to test the absolute speeds that providers deliver - and chose the UK's very own SamKnows as its technical partner. SamKnows carried out a similar project last year for UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, which showed that consumers often receive speeds substantially lower than those advertised.
Giving consumers more information about the performance of their broadband connections is one of the key policy aims in the FCC's National Broadband Plan, which was unveiled last month. The FCC says this information will help customers make informed choices, describing it as "the next step in the process of increasing transparency and competition in the broadband market".
Writing in a blog, FCC advisor Dave Vorhaus said:
In a couple of weeks, we will be asking for consumers from across the country to voluntarily install hardware in their homes (on an opt-in basis) that is capable of measuring broadband performance. The measurements will give us results across a broad swath of providers, service tiers and geographic areas. More details on how to volunteer will follow in the coming weeks.
The FCC is expecting to install devices in about 10,000 homes, according to the Wall Street Journal, which titled its article "FCC Data Testing to Stimulate British Economy?".
The FCC plans to release a public notice in the next few days describing SamKnows' technical approach and methodology.
In related news, the FCC also released its action plan agenda for the National Broadband Plan today.