Public Wi-Fi hotspots are a common sight and often a value-added service for restaurants, malls, apartments, airports, event venues and more. The promise of WIFI is an attraction, but the network quality is often unknown, and one can be disappointed.

Now, Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, is launching a new program called Speedtest Certified to guarantee the quality of Wi-Fi networks.

The programme will use Ookla’s Ekahau Wi-Fi testing tools to assess and certify Wi-Fi networks in various locations. The initial launch of Speedtest Certified will assess a venue’s enterprise network based on several key factors, including Wi-Fi quality, network security, performance metrics, and the internet service provider (ISP).

In a statement to the media, Chip Strange, Ookla’s Chief Strategy Officer, said, “The certification process is about bringing forth the technology that we have with Ekahau and the brand equity that we have with Speedtest and then creating further differentiation with our customers on how they’re positioning their properties.”

The Speedtest Certified designation will serve as a reliable standard for customers, hotel guests, and event planners to confirm Wi-Fi quality, going beyond simple word-of-mouth recommendations.

If a consumer sees online that a location has been certified by Ookla, they can be confident that the Wi-Fi network is reliable enough for them to work.

“We recognise that connectivity isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s a requirement for every business in the world and a requirement for us as consumers,” Strange noted.

For the business locations, the certification is a key differentiator in their sales and marketing efforts. It is kind of the first “Michelin Star” for public Wi-Fi.

Revenue Source for OoKla

The Speedtest Certified designation will be valid for one year. Ookla also plans to expand the programme with a second phase that will include cellular performance testing.

Certified network owners will have access to the Speedtest Certified Digital Platform. This platform provides personalised insights and allows them to benchmark their network performance against other certified networks. It will also offer recommendations for improvements.

This initiative will also generate revenue, as property owners and businesses will pay for the Speedtest Certified assessments and for annual certification renewals.