Broadband Speed Testing Giant Ookla Acquires RootMetrics

Ookla, which operates the popular global Speedtest.net service, has today announced that they’ve acquired mobile network benchmarking firm RootMetrics for an undisclosed sum. The goal will be to combine their normal crowdsourced data with RootMetrics’ scientifically controlled drive and walk testing data collection.

The global internet connection testing giant hopes that today’s deal will result in more detailed and representative studies of mobile network and mobile broadband performance. With RootMetrics and Ookla’s recently acquired Wind™ platform, Ookla’s portfolio of real-time mobile network coverage and performance measurement solutions will now extend to traditional drive testing, indoor walk testing and live event monitoring.

RootMetrics said they would continue to serve customers in the same capacity as before, at least for now.

Doug Suttles, Ookla CEO and co-founder, said:

“Ookla plus RootMetrics fully enables the network assessment trifecta of crowd measurement, controlled testing and consumer perception—with a sustainable business model that should thrive through the privacy revolution.”

RootMetrics CEO, Kevin Hasley, said:

“Becoming part of Ookla completes the vision that Doug and I shared when we first met years ago. With our combined experience and expertise we can better help our customers overcome challenges, optimize their networks and create opportunities. I am very excited to see our joint future unfold.”

We’re certainly curious to see what kind of studies come out of this deal because scientifically controlled and crowdsourced based testing often produces very different results. This reflects the different contexts and caveats of those differing approaches and methodologies.