New Cap rules - ISP speed testing

With regard to the new CAP rules in the News section and the requirement for ISPs to know their customer connections speeds it is suggested that:

"Wi-Fi will be totally ignored, i.e. testing will be between router and ISP network and massively multi-thread"

This makes me curious as to what impact this might have on the equipment that customers use and the service they receive whilst the tests are taking place.

I would not like to be forced to use some ISP provided router, nor would I like to see my connection used for running test from which I am unlikely to receive much benefit.

ISPs are not going to go around testing every customers line...they will simply present data from what they say is a representative sample or put another way their existing SamKnows testers will be used

Maybe ISPs will want to take advantage of SamKnows claim:

"You can embed our measurement software into your CPE, giving you all the functionality of The Whitebox without the extra device, plus you can deploy it across your entire network!"

They will and are

I have had both versions of the SamKnows modified modem testers for several years now - and I am not aware of them causing any problems, although I generally do not make heavy demands such as videos or gaming.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

I have had both versions of the SamKnows modified modem testers for several years now - and I am not aware of them causing any problems, although I generally do not make heavy demands such as videos or gaming.

Is that additional hardware that connect to your router?

Yes it is, the SamKnows boxes are meant to only test if they see no traffic from your devices and if you start doing stuff to abandon a test.

Those running a BQM ping tool can see the regular testing.

Providers like Virgin Media already use them to show they have an average peak speed of around 189 Mbps (if I recall) on the 200 Mbps product.

If you have a separate box then it is obvious that you have it. Additional software on an ISP provided router might well be present without your knowledge. If the ISP is relying on that they might make it difficult for the customer to use alternative equipment.

An ISP does not need data from every customer e.g. Ofcom produces its national average data from a population of 2,500 boxes

Yes, a modified Modem.

The Cat 6 cable from the NTE connects directly in to the SamKnows modified modem, into its phone inlet.

Followed by a short Cat 6 cable from adjacent Ethernet port of the SK Modem into the phone inlet of the regular EE Bright Box 2 modem.

That way, all of my traffic, Ethernet and WiFi, is "monitored" and reported by the SK Modem.

I am not aware of any slowing or loading effects of its presence; and as it is "hidden" in a corner, tend to forget its physical presence.

There have been some recent TBB postings about them - particularly if left powered up for months, requiring re-booting - but my one is switched off every night for about 8 hours, so has not caused problems of the reported nature.

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The present VDSL SK Modem is basically a white TP-Link device -

Model TL-WR741ND "150Mbps Wireless N Router"

http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/TL-WR741N...

I haven't attempted to access it etc; and there are no obvious signs of it actually being directly active on the WiFi side.

SK sends me a brief report early each month, outlining the BB performance of the immediate previous calendar month, also giving a link to a more detailed version.

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The earlier ADSL version, similarly connected etc, was -

CISCO Linksys Wireless-N Broadband Router with Storage Link, Model WRT180NL

http://downloads.linksys.com/downloads/userguide/122...