Summary of international coronavirus-related telecoms and media news - week 13

Nieuws Algemeen Wereld 27 MAR 2020 Updated: 30 MAR 2020
Summary of international coronavirus-related telecoms and media news - week 13

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pushes all the regular telecom and media news into the background - and for good reason. The impact, also on these sectors, is enormous. Here is a rundown of the international news, classified by sub-topic.

First of all, the impact of the virus on all forms of traffic on telecoms networks. Unsurprisingly, the virus has a (very) 'positive' impact, on voice calls, text messaging, video calls and more - but not international roaming, obviously.

Government institutions are calling on telecoms operators for help in charting the spread of the virus. They are requesting operators provide metadata. We are reminded of recent fines in the US for the (iilegal) sale of location data by MNOs, but in this situation the use of these data is approved from all sides, albeit with some restrictions.

In 'other' telecoms news, the impact of the virus is still felt. As we will see below, profit warnings are far more common at this point in the media sector, but the telecoms sector is plagued as well. For Telia, the recent Bonnier Broadcasting takeover is backfiring.
Among the primary effects of the virus is the cancellation of a large number of media events.
As is widely reported, video streaming is peaking all around the world (but not music streaming). Workers (and their children) are home bound and find solace in watching video.Still, the primary impact on the media sector is negative since media consumption largely takes place in the physical world. Many companies are issuing profit warnings or suspend their current guidance.
Participants in all segments of the creative arts are having an extremely hard time sitting at home, not being able to do what they do best. Fortunately, the media sector itself is setting up funds for those in need.

Governments are scrambling, not to keep the economy going (it isn't, and this will undoubtedly lead to a recession), but to support people in their primary needs with rescue plans. Everybody needs money and a place to stay, even when their income is non-existent for several months.

Updates
30 MAR 2020 - Updates

Categories:

Algemeen

Companies:

AT&T,  Telia,  Telstra,  T-Mobile,  Vodafone,  TF1,  Amazon,  AMC,  Comcast,  Google,  ITV,  Netflix,  Verizon,  Virgin Media,  Vodafone New Zealand

Regions:

Wereld

Tags:

Market research

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