CircleID

Announced today, Google Inc. along with the New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute, PlanetLab Consortium, and academic researchers are launching a new initiative called Measurement Lab, or M-Lab. According to Google's announcement, M-Lab is an open, distributed server platform for researchers to deploy Internet measurement tools. "The goal of M-Lab is to advance network research and empower the public with useful information about their broadband connections. By enhancing Internet transparency, M-Lab helps sustain a healthy, innovative Internet."

To kick start the project, M-Lab offers three tools running on servers near Google's headquarters that will allow users to diagnose common problems that might impair their broadband speed, as well as determine whether BitTorrent is being blocked or throttled by their ISPs.

Related Links:
Introducing Measurement Lab Google Inc, Jan.28.2009
Google, others launch M-Lab to track network openness Ars Technica, Jan.28.2009
Google Launches a Net Neutrality Test WSJ, Jan.28.2009
New Google Tools Test ISP Traffic Discrimination - Latest salvo in network neutrality debate DSL Report, Jan.28.2009
Google Enters Free Speed Test Marketplace with Academic Collaboration BroadbandCensus.com, Jan.27.2009

Related topics: Access Providers, Broadband, Net Neutrality, P2P, Telecom