COVID-19: Internet Providers Agree to Step Up Network Capacity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Internet service providers in Kerala have agreed to step up the network capacity by 30 to 40 percent of the present capacity to meet the demand arising from the situation, especially in view of spurt in work-at-home mode.

The decision was clinched at a meeting of representatives of various telecom service providers in Kerala Circle and officials of the Telecommunication Department convened by the Secretary, Electronics and IT following a direction by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to look into the issue.

The decision will be beneficial for those working in IT institutions. The government has come out with a set of suggestions to avoid social gatherings in public places in view of Coronavirus spread. Telecom service providers have assured the government that they are well equipped to face the current situation.

The major part of Internet consumption in Kerala is made available through local servers. Moreover, global Internet traffic is very low compared to the overall consumption. So, increasing the capacity won’t be difficult, service providers informed.

Complaints regarding the low availability of Internet due to the spurt in consumption of Internet can be made to the service providers to their complaint redressal number or inform state government call centre (155300). But complaints regarding the insufficiency in the current network infrastructure should be strictly avoided.

The IT Department will also demand for daily reports from various telecom service providers. By analyzing these reports, steps for remedies will be taken after bringing the sudden increase in consumption to the service providers.