Ookla adds social networking feature to its Speedtest.net site

Ookla users will now be able to share their broadband experience as the company has added some key enhancements to its Speedtest.net broadband speed test website.

Among the new enhancements is a social networking feature called "Speed Wave" that allows users to create groups to not only compare the speeds they are actually getting from their broadband provider, but also create broadband speed competitions.

Already selling its wares to some of the largest broadband providers such as AT&T (NYSE: T), CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL), Qwest (NYSE: Q) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Mike Apgar, Ookla's CEO, told Connected Planet that the new features are part of a company effort to appeal to a larger audience.

"We're well beyond a self-selected Geek-only audience," said Apgar, adding that Ookla reaches "people who are not interested in testing their connections but who enjoy competing with others."

Another side benefit of the "Speed Wave" feature is that residential users can use it to track broadband speeds at hotels and coffee shops, while multi-site retail chains could use it to evaluate which area broadband providers have the best speeds in each area they serve.

For more:
- Connected Planet has this article

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