Operators advise rational use of networks to face increases in traffic due to the impact of the coronavirus

Before the start of the first full week of teleworking and teletraining throughout Spain, operators are calling to prioritize Internet access for teleworking or tele-study and move the use of video streaming or gaming to hours of less traffic.

Telecommunications networks, both fixed and mobile, have been experiencing in recent days a traffic explosion as a consequence of the expansion of Covid-19 and the measures and recommendations derived from it.

In general terms, Traffic through IP networks has experienced increases close to 40% while mobile use has increased around 50% in voice, and 25% in data. Likewise, traffic from instant messaging tools such as Whatsapp has multiplied by 5 in recent days.

The greatest use of telecommuting It has also been reflected on the Internet: traffic from remote work tools such as Skype and Webex has multiplied by 4.

The network operators (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Grupo Masmovil and Grupo Euskaltel) have critical equipment ensuring the operation of the network 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and they are taking measures to reinforce their networks similar to those implemented, for example, in coastal areas in summer.

They are geographical redundancy measures for the centers from which the services are managed, diversification of technical means or operational plans to divert activity to provide services from other locations or remotely.

Operators are also doing everything they can to increase network capacity putting more equipment into service and increasing the capacity of the existing ones, but these measures are not immediately effective, so, to guarantee the quality of service and the excellent connectivity that is necessary, all these improvements must be accompanied, especially now, in the new isolation situation throughout the country, by an intelligent and responsible use of the network and the resources it provides us.

Collectively, operators ask their customers to download only the documents or files you really need, and if they can wait, to do so at night or during “off-peak hours” with less traffic (between two and four in the afternoon and between eight in the afternoon and eight in the morning).

On the other hand, whenever possible, they ask not to send large files such as videos. It is preferable to send links or routes to where they are stored. And, if it is essential to send them, compress them first or give them a format that weighs less (from ppt to pdf, for example).

They also advise using the landline instead of the mobile phone to make calls when possible.

Spain is the first European country and the third in the world in terms of fiber optic infrastructure and also has one of the best mobile networks in Europe. It is precisely this network, built by operators with effort and million-dollar investments, that is allowing the optimal functioning of digital communications, thus making isolation more bearable professionally and also personally.

A rational and responsible use of networks will allow us all, service providers, companies and individuals, to ensure that we will have quality communication in a sustainable way over time, in the face of a scenario of intensification of work and remote schooling that can last several weeks.