Global service providers including Google and Netflix have informed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) about various steps they have been taking to support and ease out stress on national telecommunications networks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Google has introduced new features and resources to provide locally relevant information to Pakistani users. These include expansion of the COVID-19 SOS alerts and knowledge panels on Google search, as well as YouTube information panels.
These product features link to the National Institute of Health (NIH), to provide locally relevant information to Pakistani citizens. Google is also offering ad inventory to the Ministry of National Health Services, so they can spotlight timely, helpful information.
Google has informed that it has also shared tips and resources for remote workers and students enabling them to improve their productivity. These include a new collection of distance learning solutions, training, and resources to help teachers and students stay connected.
Google has also launched Bolo a speech-based reading app that uses machine learning to help children read aloud confidently, using their own voice. The app has been made available in Urdu given 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 Google platforms. It is working with governments and network operators to minimise stress on the systems.
As part of this, Google has recently announced that they are temporarily defaulting all videos on YouTube to standard definition. Netflix has also informed that in order to reduce its traffic on telecommunication networks in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic it has developed ways to reduce Netflix's traffic on telecommunications networks by 25 percent, while also maintaining the quality of service.