A new service from Google has just made the lives of users easier.  The service now analyses and rates network strength when users use their Youtube app, to see if their telco is up to par for delivering the best video experience on the go. The new algorithm will tell you who is at the top, and who are at the bottom. This is a wakeup call for telcos as it will show them their Quality of Servies (QoS) is within the user’s expectations or not. This service, called Youtube Video Checkup, is being rolled out first in Malaysia – making us the pioneering country.

This of course creates a direct impact of local network operators who dish out amazing plans, promising 4G LTE coverage and best speeds possible nationwide. With this new video quality test by Google, uses will know if they are enjoying HD (720p above) quality, which requires just 2.5 Mbps to enable a enjoyable experience. If the ISP in use records 90% download stream on this quality, YouTube will rate the service HD Verified.

This methodology gives no excuse for providers to falter or give excuses of congestion, as YouTube recognises peak periods where video downloads are extreme and expect operators to cater for the jump. We all know some providers who throttles back and redirect traffic due to reasons that only they know, and for too long Malaysians have been hoodwinked in to signing up for services – only to experience poor data connection; all of this on the promise of having the widest, fastest and greatest coverage.

Service providers can no longer operate on the idea of blaming buildings, location, network congestion for their sub-par service offerings, and still run business as usual. Users can now determine for themselves the quality of service by just referring to the Youtube Checkup site and compare with their friends. Thanks to the design of Youtube servers, content is always on tap, and the only limiting factor are the ISP themselves.

The telcos are applauding the roll out of the tool. Celcom’s CEO Michael Kuehner welcomes the fair and independent check-up rating, as it will only contribute to a better environment for all.  Currently Celcom scores above 3.5 star rating at 79% out of the 471 locations where Video Checkup is available in the country, At the moment 4 is the highest rating which denotes HD while 5 is reserved for future technology.

Loh Keh Jiat, Digi’s Chief Marketing Officer meanwhile says that the tool is great for customers as it empowers end users to determine how to best stream their favourite Youtube content from their mobile devices. They are in the midst of optimising their network to deliver the best experience for the end users thanks to the increasing demand from customers.

Maxis, through Sulin Lau who is their Head of Marketing Services meanwhile says that their network has grown tremendously in the past year and has consistently deliver good quality video streaming for their customers. Using YouTube as an indicator is a good benchmark for real user experience, with good feedback from their own customers saying that their experience has been above expectations.

Thanks to the new Youtube Checkup, the fate of these telcos are now in the hands of consumers as a real and tangible network comparison tool now exists to show who is at the top, and who is languishing at the bottom.