Google test to measure Internet blockers Options

[dauss]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2...now-thos-1.html

You know those speed tests that are available all over the Web, to see how zippy your Internet connection is?

Google thinks there's a better, more effective test -- one that can also tell if your Internet speed is being intentionally blocked for heavy users.

The search giant has introduced a large scale speed test called Measurement Lab.

"Reseachers are already developing tools that allow users to, among other things, measure the speed of their connection, run diagnostics and attempt to discern if their (Internet service provider) is blocking or throttling particular applications," wrote Vint Cerf, Google's Chief Internet Evangelist, in a company blog post.

Whether an ISP has the right to block certain bandwidth-hogging applications is a matter of intense debate. In 2008 the Federal Communications Commission upheld a complaint accusing Comcast of violating the FCC's open-Internet principles by blocking file-sharing services, such as those that distribute video and television shows.

The case became a flash point in what is known as the net neutrality debate. Comcast is fighting the decision in the courts.

Adding to the debate: Wednesday another large ISP, Cox Communications, said it would begin testing a plan to give priority to time-sensitive traffic like Web page views and streaming videos.

"During the infrequent times when the network is congested, the technology automatically ensures that all time-sensitive Internet traffic -– such as web pages, voice calls, streaming videos and gaming –- moves without delay," Cox said in a letter to subscribers. "Less time-sensitive traffic, such as file uploads, peer-to-peer and Usenet newsgroups, may be delayed momentarily -– but only when there’s congestion. When that congestion is no longer present, the traffic resumes its normal flow."

Google says tests at M-Lab, a joint project with the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, the PlanetLab Consortium and academic researchers, will be more effective than traditional speed tests, because the scale of its projects is much larger.

We tried several times to do a test Wednesday, but apparently we weren't the only ones with this idea. Traffic was so intense that we couldn't log on.

Three servers were up Wednesday, but Google says it will put in 33 additional servers in 12 locations over the course of 2009.

Cerf said one of the main goals in the project is to measure the true speed of the Internet, and to share the information with others. "At Google, we care deeply about sustaining the Internet as an open platform for consumer choice and innovation," he wrote. "Transparency has always been crucial to the success of the Internet, and by advancing network research in this area, M-Lab aims to help sustain a healthy, innovative Internet."

Pretty good start for net neutrality.