FILE PHOTO: The Netflix logo is pictured on a television remote in this illustration photograph taken in Encinitas, California, U.S., January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File PhotoBRUSSELS: EU Industry Chief Thierry Breton has called on video streaming platforms such as Netflix and Alphabet unit YouTube to take measures to prevent Internet gridlock caused by people teleworking and streaming at home due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"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," Breton said in a statement on Wednesday . Breton said telecoms operators should also take measures to lessen network congestion and users should use settings and wifi to reduce data consumption.
Breton's comments came as world No 2 mobile operator Vodafone pointed to higher data traffic on its networks due to the coronavirus crisis, with demand already rising 50 per cent in some markets.