Reduce video quality to ease network pressure: COAI to streaming platforms

With the government suspending train, metro services, and locks down several districts of the country, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has anticipated a spike in online video streaming demand amid lockdown and quarantine measures to contain the spread of coronavirus. The association has also urged the government to issue immediate instructions to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and others to take measures that will ease pressure on network infrastructure.

It has also approached the streaming platforms cautioning them about the possible surge in digital use that would strain network infrastructure of telecom operators.

It also urged companies to take urgent steps like temporarily switching to SD (standard definition) from HD (hi definition) streaming, removing high bandwidth-consuming advertisements and pop-ups, and replacing them with public announcements on awareness regarding the virus — much in line with what YouTube did in Europe.