Airbnb introduces wifi speed test tool on mobile app
US: Airbnb has introduced a new tool on its mobile app which will allow hosts to test and list their home’s wifi speed on listings, as a nod to the burgeoning work-from-anywhere phenomenon.
With many travellers not just renting on Airbnb for short getaways but for remote working purposes, a fast and reliable internet connection has never been so important in the minds of travellers seeking to get a much-needed change of scenery.
Although hosts have previously been able to include wifi connectivity speeds in their lists, it has been unverified information until now which could simply be shared through screenshots of hosts’ speed tests. Instead, the new tool is integrated directly into Airbnb’s app, using open-source software provided by M-Lab, which will store test results in a publicly available database, excluding personal details such as host account credentials and wifi login details.
Hosts can now find the feature in the “add your wifi speed” menu under the Amenities section of a listing. Once the wifi speed has been selected, the result can be saved on the same menu and the app will include it in the listing.
The wifi speed test tool has already begun its roll out on the Airbnb app on supported platforms in the United States, and it is expected to be available globally in the coming weeks.
