Even as BroadbandNow was releasing a National Broadband Map comparing speeds, the Fiber Broadband Association said it is introducing a Broadband Experience Index which it argues is better.
The fiber association said its new index gives consumers "a more comprehensive and reliable methodology for comparing broadband services in real-world applications rather than only measuring broadband based on speeds," one in which fiber to the home comes out on top.
The index includes data on reliability, bandwidth, and latency in addition to downstream and upstream speeds. To come up with those factors for its metric, the association says it polled over 2,000 broadband customers who get broadband from a variety of sources, including fiber optic and coaxial cable, wireless, satellite, and DSL.
Association president Lisa Youngers said the index determined that fiber provided "best in class" service in terms of both reliability and speed.
The association included the new index in replay comments to the FCC this week on its proposed funding of rural broadband buildouts to make the case for favoring fiber for its better performance and greater consumer satisfaction.
