Internet giants, such as Google and Netflix, are taking different steps to support and ease out stress on national telecommunications networks in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), global service providers informed it about the various steps they had been taking to ease the burden on internet and telcos of Pakistan.
Google has introduced new features and resources to provide locally relevant information to Pakistani users. These include expansion of COVID19 SOS Alerts and Knowledge Panels on Google Search, as well as YouTube Information Panels.
These product features link to National Institute of Health to provide locally relevant information. Google is also offering ad inventory to the Ministry of National Health Services so they can spotlight timely, helpful information.
Google has also launched Bolo a speech-based reading app that uses machine learning to help children read aloud using their own voice. The app is available in Urdu given the school closures. A free English app has been introduced that includes fast and easy lessons on business, marketing, management, and more.
Google has further informed that it has been removing misinformation and abuse related to COVID- 19 across its platforms. It is working with governments and network operators to minimize stress on the systems. As part of this, the company has announced that it is temporarily defaulting all videos on YouTube to standard definition.
Netflix has also informed them that to reduce its traffic on telecommunication networks in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic it developed ways to reduce Netflix’s traffic on telecommunications networks by 25 per cent, while also maintaining the quality of service. This will be applicable for 30 days and will be re-evaluated after this duration ends