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Tag: Speedtest

  • Ookla, Maker of Speedtest, Acquires RootMetrics

    Ookla, Maker of Speedtest, Acquires RootMetrics

    Ookla, the make of the popular Speedtest app and service, has acquired RootMetrics.

    RootMetrics and Ookla are on two different ends of the network performance monitoring spectrum. While Ookla uses crowdsourced data, thanks to its popular app, RootMetrics relies on more traditional, controlled driving and walking tests of wireless provider coverage.

    Ookla has acquired RootMetrics, combining the two companies and bringing their respective network analysis paradigms under one roof.

    “Ookla plus RootMetrics fully enables the network assessment trifecta of crowd measurement, controlled testing and consumer perception—with a sustainable business model that should thrive through the privacy revolution,” says Ookla CEO and co-founder Doug Suttles.

    “Becoming part of Ookla completes the vision that Doug and I shared when we first met years ago,” says RootMetrics CEO Kevin Hasley. “With our combined experience and expertise we can better help our customers overcome challenges, optimize their networks and create opportunities. I am very excited to see our joint future unfold.”

    The combination of the two companies will hopefully help provide more transparency in network analysis. It’s no secret that T-Mobile touts Ookla’s network measurements, while Verizon prefers RootMetrics. The combined companies should help provide a more standardized method of testing wireless carrier performance.

  • Starlink Speeds Giving Traditional Broadband a Run For Their Money

    Starlink Speeds Giving Traditional Broadband a Run For Their Money

    Starlink may be the new kid on the block in the broadband industry, but it’s already giving traditional companies a run for their money.

    Starlink is the satellite internet service being deployed by Elon Musk’s other company, SpaceX. Unlike traditional satellite services, such as HughesNet and Viasat, Starlink’s satellites are in low-Earth orbit. This gives the service speeds and latency much closer to traditional broadband.

    According to the latest Ookla Speedtest data, Starlink is closing in on fixed broadband and, in some cases, has surpassed its speeds. In the US, the service is providing median speeds of 97.23 Mbps down, 13.89 Mbps up and 45 ms latency. In contrast, fixed broadband provides median speeds of 115.22 Mbps down, 17.18 Mbps up and 14 ms latency. In contrast, HughesNet and Viasat’s median speeds were under 20 Mbps down, under 3.5 Mbps up and had latency of 724 and 630 ms respectively.

    Ookla Satellite Internet Comparison – Credit Ookla

    Interestingly, Starlink faired even better in the international market. In fact, in Canada, New Zealand, Germany, France and the UK, Starlink beat traditional broadband in at least download speeds, and often in upload as well.

    This data shows Starlink is rapidly improving to be a viable alternative to traditional broadband — an especially impressive feat since the service is still in beta. With numbers like this, Starlink is quickly shaping up to be one of the best options at closing the “digital divide.”

  • Ookla Releases Latest Wireless Report, T-Mobile Comes Out on Top

    Ookla Releases Latest Wireless Report, T-Mobile Comes Out on Top

    Ookla, the maker of the popular Speedtest app, has released its latest report and T-Mobile has come out as the big winner in wireless.

    Thanks to its Speedtest app, Ookla is in a unique position to compile reports based on organic user data, rather than rigid, pre-defined studies. The company gives each provider a “Speed Score,” which is based on the provider’s upload and download speeds. Because download speed has a far greater impact on a user’s experience, 90% of the score is attributed to download speed, with the remaining 10% attributed to upload.

    Its latest report covers Q1 2021, and T-Mobile has come out on top in almost every category.

    Overall Speed

    In terms of overall speed, T-Mobile scored first place with a score of 50.21. AT&T came in second with 48.38 and Verizon came in third with 41.25.

    Consistency

    Ookla’s Consistency test measures providers’ ability to deliver consistent speeds. T-Mobile came in first, providing download speeds of at least 5 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 1 Mbps 84.8% of the time. AT&T came in second at 83.5% and Verizon came in third at 81.6% of the time.

    5G Speed

    When looking exclusively at 5G speed, T-Mobile was again the clear winner, with an average download speed of 82.35 Mbps. AT&T was again second with 76.60 Mbps, and Verizon came in third at 67.24 Mbps.

    5G Time Spent (5G Availability)

    Ookla’s Time Spent test measures how much time phones are connected to 5G, giving a look into a provider’s 5G coverage and availability. T-Mobile came in first with 65.4%. Verizon came in second with 36.2% and AT&T was third with 31.0%.

    Latency

    Latency tests were the only tests were T-Mobile didn’t score first place. AT&T and Verizon tied at 32 ms, while T-Mobile had 33 ms.

    T-Mobile touted the results as validation of its 5G strategy, one that has helped it become the company to beat in the 5G race.

    “Ookla’s report is just the latest to prove T-Mobile is America’s leader in 5G, with real customer data showing T-Mobile delivers the fastest 5G speeds and a 5G signal more often,” said Neville Ray, President of Technology at T-Mobile. “While the other networks play catch up, T-Mobile 5G will keep layering on even more capacity and speed to the nation’s largest 5G network.”