In 2020, there have been multiple significant changes in the way that business operates. With so many people working at home, businesses have been faced with many network challenges, including bandwidth issues. But organizations are not the only ones who have been experiencing the trouble with so many people online – communications and cable companies are also feeling the pressure to keep telecomm networks up to speed.
Businesses, schools and families all simultaneously shifted to video conferencing, virtual meetings and classrooms, and sending large data files over telecomm networks. The amount of streaming audio and video content skyrocketed nearly overnight, and has been growing exponentially as the paradigm continues to shift. This was not a business model that telecomm providers were anticipating.
Corporate telecommunications networks are built with higher capacity and greater speeds than the typical home or end user network provides. Home services were not configured for multiple simultaneous videos streams, for instance – as Dad talked to his team and three different children attended school online. One telecomm network outlines the problems, calling out the “unprecedented volume of mass-calling events.”
Phone and internet Networks under Pressure
Early in the crisis, anecdotes were flying about video calls breaking up, people losing connections, and networks breaking down under the strain. But communications providers quickly ramped up to provide networks and connections which were more resilient. But home internet had seen the biggest jump in usage, and was one of the biggest concerns. In fact, telecomm spokespersons reported usage up 60% higher than usual during the day, and 20% higher at night. Still, widespread outages have been rare, instead users have experienced slow download speeds, glitches and intermittent lapses. Providers are actively monitoring traffic and loads, and reacting in real time, optimizing and adding to capacity as required. Some home internet providers have also temporarily suspended data overage fees to get through this time. As more companies seem to be deciding to move to a remote situation permanently, however, users may need to upgrade their home service.
The rapid shift in workforce also highlighted the discrepancies in availability to high quality broadband internet. While not a problem in suburban or urban areas, more rural areas often do not provide the level of service that companies are used to – or that employees needed to conduct video conferences. This is also hurting college students who are often taking their full curriculum online, and who may struggle staying connected throughout the entire lecture.
Some professors are adapting, providing downloadable content instead of live lectures, or allowing students to watch pre-recorded lectures on Youtube.com or other online video content provider.
Telecomm Networks One Piece of the Puzzle
If you are a small to medium sized business owner, there are two areas for you to worry about – your telecommunications capability at your office, and your employee’s telecommunications capability at their home. Temporary situations can be worked through. But if you are considering adopting a more remote of flex-time based office structure for the long-term, you’ll need to assess the bandwidth needed, and how you will ensure everyone has the capacity they need.
A managed services firm can help you to assess where everyone stands, determine how much capacity is needed, and make recommendations as to how to structure your network. We can also explain to you how moving your data network to the cloud or outsourcing your telecommunications network oversight can be beneficial to your productivity and bottom line. For more information, call Alliance IT today. We will help you to navigate the new normal with skill and ease.
