In battle of the speed tests, CalSPEED replicates real user experience

After two weeks of testing comparing the CPUC speed test app CalSPEED with the FCC speed test app and a private speed test app, Ookla, we are finding that CalSPEED consistently measures lower speeds and higher latency. We believe this is more reflective of user's real world experience and a better measure of how the providers, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, operate their networks. The stakes are high in this experiment because telecommunications companies are touting mobile wireless as the broadband wave of the future, but how reliable is mobile wireless and is it a true substitute for a fixed wireline broadband connection?

CalSPEED goes head to head against FCC and Ookla Speed test apps

Does the CPUC's CalSPEED provide a more real world experience for mobile broadband users than speed tests conducted by Ookla, a private company, or the  FCC? We are conducting an experiment comparing the three tests to find out. What is the added value that CalSPEED brings to mobile testing? We feel our testing product is more accurate than the others and what evidence do we have for that? Our test measures a higher latency for mobile providers. The higher latency is important because it questions the readiness of mobile wireless broadband for the transition to ip and for providing VOIP. If latency measurements are shown to be low it means mobile wireless is ready. If latency measurements are shown to be high, it means mobile wireless is not ready to provide reliable broadband services.

Important Message for CalSPEED Users

Attention CalSPEED users! When you are conducting a mobile broadband speed test in an area which has no service, make sure you follow up that test with one in a location that has mobile broadband service. In order for the CPUC to receive your unserved result, you need to follow up your unserved test with one in a served location. By following this instruction, you can the CPUC increase the number of crowdsourced results we use in our broadband mapping program.