Crowdsource Device Measurement Data

OBJECTIVE

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), thereafter called “Departments”, are expanding their data collection initiatives on the state of Broadband Internet access and Mobile Wireless services in Canada by capturing performance metrics attained by Canadians using their personal devices. This method provides geolocated measurements of several network access methods, including satellite, fixed, and wireless broadband connections of all types including mobile which will provide cellular signal strength. The project aims to acquire geolocated data derived from Crowdsourced Quality of Service (QoS) test data that boasts Canada-wide coverage and provides insight into the performance and QoS metrics of different types of network access technologies and all wireless networks.

By collecting large-scale crowdsourced data, the Departments seek to improve their ability to monitor the performance and availability of Telecommunications Services across Canada and generate data-driven evidence in support of the development of telecommunications and spectrum-related regulations and policies.

BACKGROUND

Fixed broadband technologies deliver internet access using a number of different technologies, including optical fiber, coaxial cable, or copper wires. The common characteristic of these technologies is the physical connection between the service provider and the customer’s home.

Fixed wireless is used to describe a broadband service that uses wireless technology to connect a home to the Internet with an outdoor antenna as opposed to a coaxial cable, fiber, or copper wires. The service provider typically has antenna towers to complete the wireless link to the customer premises. This means that if your Internet modem connects to your service provider without wires or cables, but is using an outdoor antenna, you have fixed wireless Internet service.

Fixed wireless is different from mobile wireless. Typically, fixed wireless service is only available at the subscribers’ home and relies on an outdoor antenna, while mobile wireless can be accessed from anywhere the service provider operates using cellular towers.