Since its debut nearly two decades ago, Speedtest.net has been a go-to tool for measuring internet speeds. However, its founder, Doug Suttles, believed there was more to understand about internet connections beyond speed alone. This realization led to the creation of a new tool called Orb, designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of internet stability by measuring latency, packet loss, jitter, and speed.
In collaboration with Ookla executive Jamie Steven, Suttles introduced Orb in 2023. He noted that while Speedtest.net was effective for its era, the evolving digital landscape necessitated a more holistic approach. The new tool aims to offer insights akin to a car dashboard, alerting users to potential issues before they become critical.
Orb evaluates network connections based on three main factors: responsiveness (encompassing lag, jitter, latency, and packet loss), reliability (measuring consistency and packet loss over time), and speed (standard download and upload rates). These variables can be monitored over intervals ranging from one minute to 24 hours.
The tool combines these metrics to provide an overall stability score. A score above 80 signifies a solid connection, 70-80 indicates a fair connection, and anything lower suggests significant problems. If the score falls below 80, Orb offers actionable advice to enhance network performance, utilizing large language models to explain issues and propose solutions.
Orb is available across various platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. It also offers installation guides for additional platforms like Raspberry Pi, Docker, and older smartphones, enabling frequent connection monitoring.
Looking ahead, the company is developing a feature allowing users to share their Orb setup for remote monitoring, with both parties receiving alerts if connection quality declines.
Currently free to use, Orb plans to remain accessible while exploring licensing the technology to enterprises and ISPs to help them manage network issues with advanced analytics.
The startup has secured $3.8 million in funding from Sidekick Ventures and notable individual investors. Orb also aims to offer service-specific insights, allowing users to check access to platforms like Zoom and Netflix, ensuring seamless connectivity for essential services.
