ABOUT half of the world’s population was under lockdown due to the COVID-19 virus in the first quarter of 2020. With more people staying at home and practicing social distancing, people started to seek out new ways to connect – digitally.
Evidently, this has spurred the growth of mobile internet connectivity, leading to a demand for investments in network infrastructure and enhancements in its accessibility worldwide.
“In the wake of today’s global challenges, the digital ecosystem has proved vital in the response to the pandemic. Incentives from the governments and mobile operators in some countries are also a contributing factor to the rise of mobile internet subscribers,” said Forest Interactive Sdn Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur based telecommunications platform provider.
When faced with a crisis, it is important for citizens to stay informed, educated, and entertained; organizations to stay in operation; and governments to provide essential services and convey developing updates.
Additionally, a study by Ericsson highlights the importance of network resilience and internet connectivity, not only during this crisis but also for future crises.
Meanwhile here are some ways the industry has responded to the pandemic, according to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
Provide Free Access
To maintain affordability and connectivity, regulators in approximately 12 countries have provided free data allowance and/or free access to educational websites. Countries with this initiative include Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Paraguay.
New FWA network
In some countries, 4G or 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) has been used to deploy wireless broadband infrastructure. Improvements in connectivity were needed to quickly support coverage and capacity near focal points such as healthcare facilities and areas like cities, suburban, and urban areas. For example, China Telecom deployed a 5G network at Wuhan’s temporary hospital to help ensure stable WiFi coverage for thousands of users involved in telemedicine, health records, monitoring, and other related fields.
Address fake COVID-19 news
A number of fake news related to COVID-19 rose as countries went through lockdowns. Some countries including Myanmar, Uganda, the UK, and South Africa have promulgated rules addressing fake news, especially those linking 5G deployment to the spread of coronavirus.
Track application development
The European Union and some other countries like Australia and Uzbekistan have developed tracking applications in order to track the spread of COVID-19. Tech giants like Google Llc and Apple Inc announced partnerships to develop a contact tracing technology. – Dec 27, 2020
