For Internet Service Providers and other telecom companies offering data services in Nigeria, the time to deceive data users with quality of service may be over as a new platform that allows users test speed and quality of the services they are getting has now been unveiled in Africa’s largest economy.
Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) in collaboration with Google launched the Measurement Lab (M-Lab), a network diagnostic tool, through which it said every internet user, either through mobile phone or computer can test their network following simple and quick steps on the website (measurementlab.net) and results displayed instantaneously.
Muhammed Rudman, Chief Executive Officer of IXPN disclosed at the launch in Lagos that the company began a process of obtaining and hosting the M-Lab Network in 2014 in recognition of the critical role of independent quality of service measurement towards achieving policy and regulatory needs.
While noting that the hosting of the measurement Lab Network in Nigeria and the launching of the service were possible with Google’s support, an M-Lab consortium partner and Glo 1, Rudman affirmed the M-Lab Network as a diagnostic tool which employs a combination of variables to analyse the performance of ISPs.
He expressed delight at the full installation of M-Labs in Nigeria, noting that the IXPN is ready to build necessary capacity and sensitise key stakeholders on M-Labs, which was why it held a one-day training for some stakeholders on the M-Lab before it was unveiled to the media.
According to him, provision has also been made to fund some research in tertiary institutions on quality of internet services in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas, to give government a true picture of where to invest in.
Speaking further the IXPN CEO pointed out that all the parties involved in the installation of the M-Lab independent quality service measurements are rendering a social service to the community.
“Although the motive is not profit-driven, it is expected that consumers and the ICT public will be better served by it,” he added.
Rudman noted that mobile internet penetration in Nigeria hovers between 28%-38%, while emphasising the fact of its growing impact on the Nigerian economy at about 7.8% contribution to the GDP in 2013. He, therefore, called for the doubling of efforts at ensuring that the quality of service does not fall short, and that verifiable local data that can address any gap and improve on success points is in place, especially, in view of the critical role access to the internet is now playing in all sectors of the society, the life and work of the citizens.
M-Lab describes itself as “a consortium of research, industry, and public interest partners dedicated to providing an ecosystem for the open, verifiable measurement of global network performance. As a collaborative effort, M-Lab depends on the support and involvement of likeminded people and organisations.”
Also speaking at launch, the Country Manager for Google in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan said the purpose of the M-Lab in Nigeria was to enhance internet experience for Nigerians, especially, at this time when the country is pursuing broadband for all. According to her, the M-Lab tool will also assist the industry regulator in measuring the services the operators are giving out to the people and compare it what they claim.