Methods and apparatus for detecting internet connection problems

Abstract

A method of determining a problem with data packet transmission speed over a first communication medium coupled between a plurality of content servers and an ISP communication device. The method comprises repeatedly measuring the data packet transmission speed over the first communication medium coupled between each of the plurality of content servers and the ISP communication device, and determining there is a problem with the data packet transmission speed over the first communication medium coupled between one of the plurality of content servers and the ISP communication device when the repeatedly measured data packet transmission speeds over the first communication medium coupled between the one of the plurality of content servers and the ISP communication device is substantially different from the repeatedly measured data packet transmission speeds over the first communication medium coupled between other of the plurality of content servers and the ISP communication device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying a preferred network path, the method comprising:
 categorizing a first user device based on a capability to support mobile connectivity and/or broadband connectivity;   performing a plurality of network measurements across a plurality of network segments coupled to the first user device, the plurality of network segments comprising at least one mobile segment and at least one broadband segment; and   analyzing the user device categorization and the plurality of network measurements to identify the preferred network path for the first user device.