With the whirlwind of controversy currently surrounding net neutrality and certain broadband providers seeking to throttle video content providers (Netflix, Hulu & Youtube) by forcing the purchase of bandwidth or risk reduced speeds, it was only a matter of time before someone took a stand. Google are seeking to deal a blow to many of the slacking ISPs with their new Video Quality Report website, which will (for US residents) detect your location and current Internet Service Provider to divulge information on the quality of service you are currently receiving.
With the vast amount of connectivity required for modern gaming it’s invaluable to have a stable connection that doesn’t choke at peak times during a game. Using Google’s data you can figure out whether you’ve got a connection that’s up to scratch and take the steps to fix it.
Google uses video statistics from the last 30 days to chart how an ISP copes with streaming content in standard and high definition quality and at which times service might degrade. If your ISP passes the test then it is given Google’s HD Verified status, meaning you have a high quality connection, as detailed in Google’s blog post, which goes more in depth on how ratings are defined. This can be compared with other ISPs in your area to help provide you with the best connection possible.
Google released the service earlier this year in Canada and are seeking to expand to other regions soon.
Via Techtimes.