Electronics

[IamMrsG]

Does anyone know anything about this?  After reading the following Email this morning, I went to SamKnows.com.  It seems they have a whitebox to install in the home that monitors internet performance for the purpose of improving it.  This idea is attractive as the internet service I receive from Century Link is close to being dismal.  If I played online games or streamed movies and television, I'd be SOL.

My question(s) to anyone who has knowledge of this is what else does said White Box monitor?  How intrusive is this thing or project?  Has anyone allowed this thing to come into their home?  If so, what was the result?   If you're willing to share, your input will be appreciated.

It is long, but here is the Email I received from my ISP this morning:

"Since 2009, as part of its National Broadband plan, the Federal Communications Commission has had a project to test broadband performance, managed by an independent contractor, SamKnows Ltd. The FCC is continuing this test for 2017. The FCC is looking for additional volunteers who will agree to allow a testing device to be attached to the broadband connection in their homes. 

The test covers major aspects of an Internet connection, from the speed of downloading a large file, to the quality of video streaming or video chatting with others. The purpose of the project is to provide consumers with more information about actual broadband performance from America's leading wireline broadband providers. 

If you're interested please visit the FCC sign-up page at https://www.samknows.com/signup?country=236&isp=22&product=231. The FCC will ensure that your personal information will be strictly protected and at no time will any personal information be shared or made available without your consent. 

To find out more, please go to: 

 http://www.measuringbroadbandamerica.com/the-project/. 

Thank you."

[Kachina624]

This is the first I've heard of this.  Of course with all the scams abounding, we're immediately suspicious of anything accessing our data. 

I also have Century Link, and yes, dismal is a good word for the service. 

[fleetwood]

Interesting. I don't know anything about this but having Century Link myself I know I don't need a performance test to tell me that this provider has the weakest, worst, slowest overpriced service out there. We live just outside of a large city and there aren't any alternatives. A person would think that with all of their customer complaints and bad online reviews of their company that they would do something to improve their service. I will be watching this thread for any replies that have knowledge about this project. Thanks for posting about this. 

[2blonde]

What's in it for you?  If they find your service to be inadequate, what then?  I wouldn't want such an invasive device in my home anyway.

[millieshops]

I'm not interested in any monitoring, but I think this could have something to do with the companies which downgrade available broadband when they find a customer using excessive amounts of it.  My understanding was that it had more to do with individuals or specific businesses rather than with any of providers such as Century Link.  (Sounds as if I'm happy not to have that service available!)

[hckynut]

@IamMrsG

What broadband speed do you have with Centurylink? I have them and our home still uses copper phone wires I made going back to the late 1950's. Best speed we could get once we got DSL was 1.5mbps. Years later we were able to get 5mbps speed. We now have the top we can ever get without Fiber Optic Cable.

Our present speed is 12mbps which varies at times up to 15. I am able to stream HD movies and even 4k movies, without buffering. They say with 4k you should have at least 25mbps for good streaming, but our speed os working just fine, now anyways, with 4k.

Gaming isn't my or my wife's thing so I know nothing about that other than this. The more graphic intensive the higher speed you need to be able to pick up all the broadband information being passed through.

I bought cables that are specific for handling 4k information, which may be why I get no buffering even with streaming those movies.

The FCC? Going skating now and might get to that topic later.

hckynut(john)