CRTC invites Canadians to participate in a project measuring the performance of their broadband Internet services

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, May 21, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today invited Canadians to participate in a project that will measure the performance of their home broadband Internet services.The CRTC is collaborating in this project with major Internet service providers (ISPs) across the country and SamKnows, a company that specializes in measuring broadband services.

The CRTC is recruiting up to 6,200 Canadians to help measure the Internet services provided by the participating ISPs. Volunteers will receive a device, called a "Whitebox", that they will connect to their modem or router. The Whitebox will periodically measure broadband performance, testing a number of parameters associated with the broadband Internet connection, including download and upload speeds. The measurement tests will run when users are not actively using their Internet connection. The privacy of Canadians will also be assured. No information concerning online activities will be collected.

The results of this project will enable Canadians to gain additional insight into network performance, including actual connection speeds, and provide them with a better understanding of whether certain Internet services from participating ISPs are delivering speeds as advertised. These results will also provide data that will enable the CRTC to improve its broadband policy-making.

Using these results as a baseline, the CRTC intends to publish a comprehensive report highlighting the findings of this project. While the initial project is set to last for one year, the CRTC intends to continue gathering data beyond the initial year. The data will ultimately form part of the CRTC's data collection and monitoring activities.

Canadians who wish to become involve with this project can review the criteria for eligibility and apply by completing an online form.

The CRTC recently launched a major proceeding to review basic telecommunications services in Canada, including the services that all Canadians need to participate in the digital economy.

Quick facts                                                                                    

• The CRTC, in collaboration with major Internet service providers and SamKnows, is inviting Canadians to participate in a project that will measure the performance of their broadband Internet services.
• Participants will receive a device, called a Whitebox, that they will connect to their modem or router.
• Study information will only be collected when users are not connected. The privacy of Canadians will also be assured. No information concerning online activities will be collected.
• The CRTC's mandate includes ensuring that Canadians have access to a world-class communication system.
• The CRTC recently launched a major proceeding to review basic telecommunications services in Canada, including  the services that all Canadians need to participate in the digital economy.

Quote

"The project we are launching today in collaboration with SamKnows and major Canadian Internet service providers will provide valuable information. This will help Canadians better understand the performance of their Internet services and whether certain Internet services from participating ISPs are delivering speeds as advertised. No information will be collected about the online activities of participants. This project is designed to run tests through an Internet connection to collect data on connection speeds. Of course, this project will only be successful if Canadians participate. We encourage those who are interested to fill out the online form today."

Barbara Motzney, CRTC Chief Consumer Officer

Related links

Learn about Internet Speed and Performance 
CRTC initiates review of basic telecommunications services for all Canadians 
Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-134

Follow us on Twitter: @CRTCeng 
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/crtceng

These documents are available in alternative format upon request.

Additional information on who can participate

The CRTC is seeking volunteers to participate in a broadband measurement project. At the moment, eligible participants must subscribe to Internet services offered by the following ISPs: Bell, Bell Aliant, Cogeco, Eastlink, Videotron, Rogers, Shaw, TELUS, Northwestel and MTS Allstream. In addition, the broadband services being tested are limited to those that are advertised as having download speeds of 5 megabits or higher. Other ISPs may decide to participate later on.

SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Media relations, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]; General inquiries, Tel.: [phone], TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: [phone], Toll-free no.: 1-877-249-CRTC (2782), TDD - Toll-free no.: 1-877-909-CRTC (2782), Ask a question or make a complaint

Related Links

http://www.crtc.gc.ca