Operators key to virus response
The coronavirus outbreak continues to spark challenges for telecom operators as public demand for technology, online activities and network capacity soars to unprecedented levels, say industry pundits.
According to them, several countries are stepping up efforts to deploy ICT infrastructure as a strategic foundation to address demand during the pandemic. For example, South Korea has indicated 5G infrastructure investment would surge 50% in the first half this year.
Peng Song, president of marketing and solution sales for Huawei carrier BG, said a digital response to the pandemic can take multiple forms and bring significant value.
Many operators are taking measures to confront the pandemic and 5G is vital for both health and economic performance, he said during an online conference recently held by Huawei in Shenzhen, China, to discuss 5G tech.
During the event, Huawei presented a white paper on deep insights into global networks and the role telecom networks have played in the fight against the pandemic.
The pandemic affects everyone on the planet and the crisis is spreading, Mr Peng said.
“Telecom infrastructure is seen as critical and fundamental,” he said.
Activities have switched from offline to online, including working from home and telemedicine.
“To address these opportunities and challenges, operators must gear up for more resilient, automated and intelligent network adoption,” Mr Peng said. “This issue must be accounted for in operators’ annual network plans.”
Providing stable telecom networks catering to online activities is important, such as online education and shopping as well as remote work, he said.
Bob Cai, chief marketing officer of BG, said the white paper shows global operators’ practices in helping address the pandemic, such as introducing 5G, artificial intelligence, fibre technology and other advanced features that make it more effective for apps to help combat the outbreak.
Su Yu, deputy dean of China Mobile Chengdu Industrial Research Institute, said the pandemic has changed lifestyles in China, where the number of people staying at home has surged 60% since before the pandemic.
During the pandemic, the number of people in China working from home has risen by 300 million and that of students engaging in online learning has soared by 127 million. Online shopping surged 600% from pre-crisis.
Mr Su said China Mobile has embarked on a pandemic strategy, including ensuring high network performance and supporting the government, corporations and society through technology, while protecting employees.
Shaun Collins, chief executive of CCS Insight, a research and advisory firm, said telecom networks are central to the health solutions, with 5G creating an opportunity to address the challenge.
“This is the time to double down on 5G investment to respond to this situation,” said Mr Collins.