Assessing Fixed Broadband Network Performance: Metrics, Methods and Tools

The widespread adoption of broadband networks has significantly boosted economic growth and transformed various sectors. While mobile broadband (MBB) has gained widespread acceptance due to its flexibility and mobility, fixed broadband (FBB) networks offer superior performance, supporting multiple users and devices without compromising speed. FBB's high-speed internet, stability, and large data capacity make it ideal for data-intensive activities like remote work, online learning, and video conferencing. However, ensuring reliable and high-quality services remains a concern, prompting researchers, governments, and regulators to develop unbiased performance measurement methodologies for FBB networks. This paper reviews existing approaches, tools, and frameworks for assessing Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) in FBB networks, highlighting regional and stakeholder disparities. Key performance indicators like bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss are examined, along with challenges related to measurement consistency, standardization, and transparency. The findings emphasize the need for robust, cost-effective, and transparent measurement frameworks to ensure fair evaluation, enhance service delivery, and promote digital inclusion globally.