SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ookla™ (www.ookla.com), the global leader in broadband network diagnostic applications, today announced a completely revamped version of its immensely popular Speedtest.net site. This update showcases a brand new interface with a zoomable map system, added features for real-time tracking and sharing of results – including Speed Wave™ – and a broad range of enhancements that improve testing for higher speed and “powerboost” connections. Together, these changes dramatically impact how interactive, informative and fun the experience of broadband speed testing can be for users worldwide.
Speedtest.net, already the world’s most popular broadband speed analysis tool with more than two million daily users and over two billion tests served, has been completely updated to better address global broadband customer needs. Some of the key features in this release include:
Improved Testing
The new interface and mapping scheme instantly selects the optimal (lowest latency) server from among the closest of 780 current testing locations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, in order to deliver the most accurate results possible, regardless of the tester’s technical knowledge. This new feature automates and delivers results with a single click of the mouse.
Speed Wave
Speed Wave is central to the newest version of Speedtest.net, and allows users to start or join a “testing wave.” A Speed Wave is a grouping of predefined speed tests used for ongoing comparison. Testers start Speed Waves to compare their speed against others, create friendly competitions (for example, schools, offices, cafés or hotels versus one another, or a battle between service providers) and to view the detailed statistics created in the process. As the Speed Waves ripple across Speedtest.net and through various social media channels like Twitter and Facebook, special badges will be awarded in each wave to testers for achievements, such as being the first to participate, recording the fastest and slowest speeds and many more.
“While no one takes broadband speed testing more seriously than our team at Ookla, we also understand the interests and needs of the broadband community as a whole. Speed Wave is a perfect way for us to foster and promote the importance of broadband performance testing to the entire global broadband user base, by combining it with social interaction and fun for the everyday speed tester,” said Mike Apgar, co-founder and managing partner of Ookla. “Furthermore, all the updates to Speedtest.net are designed to demonstrate the increasing capabilities of our core testing engine and every visitor should know they help contribute to our free and unparalleled broadband performance resources at NetIndex.com, thereby improving understanding for the entire Internet community.”
Connection Management and Tracking
Testers now have the option to register on Speedtest.net to gain access to enhanced features and more tools, including the ability to start a Speed Wave (anyone can join one). By registering, testers can log tests to a special “My Results” section to better track performance, tag and categorize results (home, work, coffee shop, etc.), store geographical, pricing and promised speed information by zip code and more. Other site-wide enhancements include a new support section designed to improve the accessibility of technical solutions, resources and answers to popular questions.
To conduct a broadband speed test, begin a Speed Wave, or learn more please visit http://www.speedtest.net.
About Ookla
Ookla is the global leader in broadband speed testing and web-based network diagnostic applications. The company's test engines and methodologies set the broadband industry's standards for popularity, ease of use and the subsequent development of relevant statistical data. Through application development and licensing, Ookla services almost every Internet Service Provider in the world, and its solutions have been translated into 32 languages for use by thousands of small businesses and Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, Cisco, Comcast, Nokia, Reuters, Speakeasy, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and Vonage. More than two million tests a day are completed with Ookla's numerous free diagnostic tools including Speedtest.net. Founded by Internet and telecommunications veterans in 2006, Ookla has offices in Seattle, WA and Kalispell, MT. For more information, please visit http://www.ookla.com or follow the company on Twitter @TeamOokla and Facebook.