Abstract

A range of performance metrics beyond throughput are increasingly becoming relevant for user experience. Notably, latency under load—the end-to-end latency of an Internet path when the network is loaded with traffic for a period of time—is a distinguishing feature, as increased latency, even for a short period of time, can disrupt connectivity for a wide range of applications. In this brief position paper, we use preliminary experiments from a home broadband measurement testbed across Chicago to demonstrate that latency under load can differ significantly, both for users across different speed tiers and for users within the same speed tier. We use this position paper to present a few compelling examples, to seed a discussion about ways to measure and compare latency under load across subscribers.

Related Insights

Working Paper

Best Practices for Collecting Speed Test Data

A set of recommendations for gathering and analyzing crowdsourced speed test measurements to support broadband investment allocation.
Aug 12, 2022
Working Paper

Internet Inequity in Chicago: Adoption, Affordability, and Availability

A study of Internet equity in Chicago that considers disparities in Internet availability, affordability, and adoption across urban communities.
Aug 08, 2022
Working Paper

Benchmarks or Equity? A New Approach to Measuring Internet Performance

A new approach to measuring Internet performance that rests on comparisons of multiple performance metrics across geographies.
Aug 03, 2022