Regular network performance testing will be key to reinforce state broadband programs, says Ookla

Ookla argues that states need ongoing, independent testing of broadband performance if they want to know whether public funds are actually improving internet service. The company points to the Federal Communications Commission’s Measuring Broadband America program, which from 2011 to 2023 used thousands of volunteers to collect in‑home performance data, as a model for how regular measurement can reveal if providers are delivering the speeds and reliability they advertise.

With billions of dollars now flowing into state broadband builds and upgrades, Ookla’s message is that one‑time checks and provider self‑reporting are not enough. Systematic, repeated testing at the user level can validate coverage claims, expose gaps, and help states adjust their broadband programs so money goes where service still falls short.