Coronavirus: Facebook, Instagram to reduce video streaming quality in Europe
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In a photo taken on Jan 20, 2020, Facebook branding is seen in a workspace at the company's offices in London.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BRUSSELS (REUTERS) - Facebook will downgrade video streaming quality on its platform and on Instagram in Europe, the latest US tech giant to respond to an EU call to stave off Internet gridlock as thousands work from home due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier this week, Netflix, Alphabet Inc's YouTube, Amazon and Disney said they would downgrade their video quality.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton has urged streaming platforms to free up bandwidth for healthcare and distance learning for thousands of children sent home by closing schools.
While European telecoms operators say their networks have been able to cope with the data traffic rise so far, there are fears of congestion as more and more people work at home.
"To help alleviate any potential network congestion, we will temporarily reduce bit rates for videos on Facebook and Instagram in Europe," a spokesman said in a statement.
The move will last as long as there are concerns about Internet gridlock, a person close to the company said.
Both Netflix and YouTube said they would cut their picture quality for 30 days while Disney said it would lower its overall bandwidth utilisation by at least 25% in all of the European countries launching Disney+ next week.
Streaming video can account for two-thirds of traffic on fixed and mobile networks.
Meanwhile, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said on Sunday that the social media company has donated its emergency reserve of 720,000 masks to provide health workers with more protective gear.
"To help, Facebook donated our emergency reserve of 720,000 masks that we had bought in case the wildfires continued," Zuckerberg said in a post, adding that the company is also working on "sourcing a lot more to donate."
The United States has seen a surge in demand for respirator masks caused by the coronavirus outbreak as the US Department of Health and Human Services, over the next 18 months, aims to buy 500 million masks for the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation's supply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
