Why ISPs Should Use Speedtest Servers at an Internet Exchange

Speed tests shape how customers judge an ISP. Fair or not, those numbers matter. Many providers already run their own Speedtest servers, which is smart. Using Speedtest servers hosted at an Internet Exchange (IX) adds clear benefits, even if you keep your own online.

More Neutral Results, Less Finger-Pointing

When a Speedtest server sits at an IX, traffic takes a short, clean path. It avoids long transit routes and odd handoffs. That makes results easier to trust.

If a customer sees slow speeds to an IX-based server, the issue often points back to access, last-mile congestion, or CPE. If speeds look good, it shows the core network and peering work as designed. Either way, the data helps support teams focus faster.

Better View of Real Network Performance

Tests to an IX reflect how traffic flows to content networks, cloud providers, and other peers. That mirrors real usage more closely than testing only to a server deep inside the ISP network.

It answers a simple question: “How well does traffic move once it leaves my network edge?” That insight helps with capacity planning and peering decisions.

Keeps Local Traffic Local

IX-based testing keeps packets nearby. Traffic stays in the metro area instead of crossing regions. That cuts latency and jitter and avoids wasted transit.

It also shows customers the value of local interconnection, even if they never hear the term “peering.” They just see better numbers. This is a value add for the ISP on FD-IX.

Still Useful If You Run Your Own Server

Running your own Speedtest server is still valuable. It helps validate access speeds and internal performance. An IX-based server adds a second reference point.

Two targets tell a clearer story than one. One shows access health. The other shows interconnection health. Together, they reduce guesswork.

Fewer Servers to Maintain and Secure

Some ISPs choose to stop hosting their own Speedtest servers once they trust IX-based options. That can simplify life.

One less server means fewer patches, fewer alerts, and fewer security reviews. There’s no OS to harden and no hardware to replace. For lean teams, that matters.

Better Experience for Customers and Staff

Customers get fast, consistent results. Support teams get cleaner data. Engineers get a better view of how the network behaves beyond the edge without multiple providers to troubleshoot.

And nobody has to argue about whether a test was “inside” or “outside” the network. The IX sits in the middle, where it belongs. This adds legitimacy to the results from a third party, not the ISP.

The Takeaway

Speedtest servers at an Internet Exchange don’t replace what ISPs already do well. They strengthen it. Many of the issues Justin Wilson mentions in his “ The Problem With Speedtests” article are removed or mitigated when IX members and their customers accessing Speedtests over the IX.

Whether you keep your own server or retire it, IX-based testing offers clearer data, fewer headaches, and better insight into real-world performance. Less noise. More signal. And fewer boxes to babysit in the rack.