Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton met, late on Wednesday 18 March, with Netflix CEO, Reed Hasting to discuss how to prevent any congestion caused by the explosion in internet traffic due to national containment to curb the COVID-19 epidemic.
“Streaming platforms, telecom operators and users... We all have a joint responsibility to take steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the internet during the battle against the virus propagation”, said Commissioner Breton at the meeting to discuss possible measures to limit the flow of data, especially during peak periods.
Among the measures discussed, the lowering of quality to a “standard” definition instead of a high definition during peaks of internet activity for the impacted geographical areas was addressed, according to the Commission, in order to maintain uninterrupted viewing.
In addition to this measure, the Commission calls on internet access service providers to prevent the effects of network congestion by using the existing provisions in Regulation 2015/2120 laying down measures on access to an open Internet (Article 3(3)(c)). Furthermore, the institution expects users to make “reasoned” use of leisure activities, using low resolution for the content viewed.
As such, the European Commission and the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), with the support of the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), are setting up a reporting mechanism to ensure regular monitoring of the internet traffic situation in each Member State.
For several weeks now, the European Commission, in particular through its Internal Market Commissioner, has been trying day in and day out to ensure coordination between Member States and the various economic operators in order to combat stock shortages, particularly as regards medical equipment (see EUROPE 12447/1). (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean and Pascal Hansens)