System for network characteristic assessment

Mobile devices executing applications utilize data services worldwide. Many failures or adverse user experiences of these applications may result from network issues. Data may be acquired at a mobile computing device during communication. Over relatively short time scales differences in the data may be determined. Based on the differences, output data may be generated that is indicative of one or more particular network characteristics, such as bandwidth, latency, transmit power, received signal strength, and so forth. The output data may then be used to modify operation of a device, troubleshoot operation, and so forth. The output data may be transmitted opportunistically at particular times and under certain conditions to minimize operating time of a radio of the mobile computing device and reduce contention with transfer of other data using the radio.