Measuring Landline connections Directly
Crowdsourcing methods can determine the performance provided by fixed-network providers. Using special measurement boxes, umlaut and connect are now also able to investigate tariff compliance in Germany.
For the tests described here, the well-known single-board computers of the Raspberry Pi series were used.
The crowdsourcing approach introduced in our broadband and fixed-network test in 2023 fulfils many of the requirements that telecommunications experts place on such a test. Several hundred thousand internet connections distributed across Germany can be analysed. Several hundred million measured values collected over 24 weeks create a stable data pool that also allows statements to be made about the reliability provided by the operators.
However, despite all the detailed information, crowdsourcing tests leave one question unanswered: To what extent do the operators fulfil the performance promise they made when they signed the contract?
Of course, crowdsourcing does not allow access to any contract details. And even if you could ask the participants, only very few would know the exact terms of their subscription.
Measurement boxes that measure the throughput and latency at fixed network customers with known contracts are a better approach here. Together with its long-standing partner umlaut, connect has tested what findings these measurements reveal for selected customers.
A detailed report of the methodology and findings of this approach can be downloaded in German or English via the button below.