Requirements from the City of Seattle

Seattle Broadband Map Project

Published: May 5, 2015

Goal: To have a dynamic map showing real-world broadband experiences across the city, and allow the public to contribute their broadband experience using proven tools.

Purpose: To illustrate progress toward the Mayor’s goal of competitive, equal, and affordable broadband service that approaches a rapidly evolving gigabit standard.

Requirements:
User submits their broadband experience

• User accesses a website where a proven tool is used to assess key elements of the user’s broadband speed. Elements include:
  • Auto-populated elements:
    • Upload and download speed
    • Latency
    • Time of day
    • Location
    • Service provider, as determined by IP address lookup
    • Device used, as determined by broswer/header (e.g. computer, mobile device)
  • End-user populated elements (opt-in):
    • Location type (e.g. residence, business, public space)
    • Connection type (Cable, DSL, Fiber, Cellular, Other, Unknown)
    • Advertised speeds, if known
    • Cost of service, if known

Data is summarized by census tract

• For each census tract, data is aggregated to represent the broadband experience in the area
  • A minimum of 5 responses is required for any data to be reported in a census tract
• Broadband experience is defined as the number of wired providers observed to offer high speed residential service in the tract.
  • Dark green. Two or more gigabit providers observed (Download speed > 900mbps)
  • Light green. One or more providers observed (Download speed >900mbps)
  • Light yellow. Two or more providers observed providing broadband (Download speed >20mpbs)
  • Yellow. One or more providers observed providing broadband internet service (Download speed >20mbps)
  • Light red. One or more providers observed providing internet service (Download speed >7mpbs)
  • Red. No providers providing atleast 7mbps internet service.

User views the broadband map

• Map shows an overlay of census tracts over the City, with each tract color-coded by the state of broadband experience in the tract as defined in the summary section.
• Users may click on a tract to see more detail for the area, including:
  • Wireline providers available
  • Average speed/latency by provider in the area
  • Other insight into performance (e.g. performance by time of day)
• Map also provides a city-level summary of performance by provider
  • Average speed/latency
  • Performance by time of day
  • Wired vs. wireless performance