Ongoing tests will ensure broadband networks are performing as promised and public investments are paying off
Between 2011 and 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ran an in-home broadband measurement program called Measuring Broadband America (MBA). The campaign enlisted thousands of volunteers to take measurements of fixed broadband service performances using at-home test kits. The data collected fed into periodic reports that laid out the performance levels demonstrated by each provider under specified test conditions.
The primary objective of this initiative was to deliver performance studies of services of some of the largest providers in the country, in an effort to bring transparency to the people, and accountability for providers — and ultimately ensure a healthy and competitive marketplace.
Unfortunately, funding was cut, and the program is no longer active. However, need for accurate data pinpointing of broadband services has never been greater. Reliable broadband has become critical to a number of essential services — online classes, healthcare services, online banking, basic government services, what have you. With Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding flowing in and work to begin next year, it is now down to the state broadband committees and offices to justify the investments and deliver access to high-speed broadband to the residents.
Keeping a finger on the pulse
Bryan Darr, VP of government affairs at Ookla in a recent article highlighted the importance of state-level broadband monitoring in closing the nationwide digital divide between urban and rural communities. Darr points out that while there will be ongoing verification requirements defined by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the specific BEAD-funded deployments, measurable connectivity improvements can only be fully realized by continually testing and measuring network performances beyond federal mandates.
“Without broad, consistent network performance testing, states risk losing visibility into how billions in public funds are being used, undermining their ability to demonstrate results or enforce accountability,” he wrote.
He argues that there are blindspots in many older programs as they do not require ongoing testing which leaves states to lean on their own resources and standards. For instance, NTIA requires eligible entities to meet their measurement obligations for BEAD last-mile projects, but it will likely follow the 5 to 50 testing locations per area requirement as is outlined for Connect America Fund (CAF).
“Testing requirements do not extend beyond the award areas in an ISP’s footprint unless necessitated by other support programs,” he writes.
One-time field checks are hardly adequate, he notes. Key metrics like real day to day user experience, performance trends over time, and adoption shifts in communities get missed in these inspections. This is where crowdsourced testing drives like MBA shine in gathering valuable insights through repeated and regular testing.
In case you are wondering, here is how the states stack up in broadband performance in 2025. According to the most recent Ookla survey, the states of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Rhode Island rank the highest with north of 70% users experiencing the FCC standard 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream speed. The same states with the exception of Delaware which has dropped off the list this year, replaced by New Jersey made the top 5 in 2024.
As broadband networks continue to evolve and expand, keeping tabs on the performance will become the new imperative that ensures that projects deliver value to communities as intended by holding ISPs accountable.
