GUWAHATI: As the COVID-19 emergency continues, India has gone into a 21 day long lockdown. The Internet has become, for many, the primary method to keep in touch with their friends and families.
Traffic towards video conferencing, streaming services and news, e-commerce websites has surged.
There has been a growth in the traffic from residential networks and telecom network as office goers are working from home and students are taking online classes.
As a result, the Central Government and the telecom operators are concerned about its potential impact on the cellular network infrastructure.
“The digital industry has decided to act immediately in the larger national and consumer interest and to ensure the robustness of the cellular network. It was unanimously agreed that as an exceptional measure, all companies will immediately adopt measures, including temporarily defaulting HD and ultra-HD streaming to SD content or offering only SD content, at bitrates no higher than 480p on cellular networks. These voluntary measures will be in effect until April 14,” reads a media statement released by the stakeholders which include Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon, Google, Sony and Zee authorities.
Further, a source in the telecom sector informed G Plus that the telecom companies are trying to make data streaming process smooth for their customers.
"With most people staying at home, online streaming has increased tremendously. So, we are trying to make the network clutter-free for better experience," the source said.