TelecomLive April-2020

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has thrown normal life out of gear, wreaking devastating consequences. In these difficult times, we have clapped, cheered, lit a lamp and expressed gratitude for doctors, health service folks, sani- tationworkers and an array of essential services. The world today is functioning with two methods: social distancing and work from home. To make this possible, the telecom sector has been working tirelessly. Therefore, a big shout- out to all who are working in the telecom sector. Those maintaining tower sites, data centres, NOCs, those plying vehicles with diesel for DG sets of mobile towers and those slogging in teeming virtual war rooms and deliveringmany other functions, the country applauds you. Data has surged 15-22 per cent in lockdown season and telcos are working hard to ensure cent percent service availability 24x7, says DG, COAI in an interview to us. Online video streaming has also seen a sharp rise, prompt- ing telcos to urge DoT to instruct streaming platforms to switch fromHD to SD so as to ease the pressure on network infrastructure. This has been done and nowHD-streaming has freed up 20pc of network capacity for telcos. The government has also urged OTTs to remove high bandwidth-consuming advertisements and pop-ups and replace them with public announcements on awareness regarding the virus. Operators have written toDoT and Trai requesting them that customers be allowed to access all critical websites offering government services, e-commerce and digital payments such as the Bhim app, without being charged for data during the lockdownperiod. Device manufacturers like Lenovo, Motorola, Asus, Haier etc have extended the warranty of their products which were to be expired in the lockdown period. Telcos andmessaging apps are fulfilling the crucial role of dissem- inating information about COVID-19. There are a total of 115 crore mobile subscribers out of which 98 crore sub- scribers are active. Technology start-ups are coming up with location tracking and remote support platforms, all directed to flatten the curve and fight the pandemic. Overall, in a phase when most businesses are shut, telecom services is the one of the few sectors which is reporting a demand surge and big revenue gains from increase in internet consumption. However, there is no SIM buying happening, net subscriber additions fell by 2 million in March. But this is offset by present data usage and the impact of tariff increase in December 2019. The business of International SIM providers has come to a standstill with travel bans in place. Smartphonemakers are also facing component and distribution problems with major disruptions in the supply chain which is largely global. We bring you all the details in our three-part cover story which also has a special insert on how China used 5G plat- forms to control the epidemic. Editorial Telecom LIVE April 2020 3 Vol. XVI - Issue IX April 2020 www.telecomlive.com Printed at : Lipee Scan Pvt Ltd, 89 D.S.I.D.C. Complex, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I, New Delhi - 110020 (India) Corporate Office: Live Media & Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1004 & 1005, New Delhi House, 27 Barakhamba Road New Delhi - 110 001 (India) Ph : +91-11-2331 8888 , Fax: +91-11-2376 8888 e-mail: contact@livemedia.press www.livemedia.press Published at: Live Media & Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1004 & 1005, New Delhi House, 27 Barakhamba Road New Delhi - 110 001 Team TelecomLive C. S. Mathew Himantika Sharma Mohd. Naushad Khan Aurangzeb Khan Biju Kumar K.A. Binu Mathew Isha Sharma Rajesh Neha Kumari Vijay Marketing & Circulation contact@livemedia.press LIVE TELECOM Editor Dr Rashmi Das rashmi@telecomlive.com Editor-in-Chief Anil Kumar