Voice, Video Calls Tripled in Pandemic, Sign of Value in Traditional Telephony, Says Parks
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the value of traditional landline voice calls, said Parks Associates Wednesday, saying voice and video calls tripled during the pandemic. Some 30% of U.S. broadband households reported one remote worker, and 22% reported another adult was…
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working remotely in the household, it said, contributing to recorded increases in voice and video calls reported by Comcast, AT&T and Verizon. The combination of shelter-in-place, work-from-home and other “from home” lifestyles “led many consumers to rediscover the value in voice," said analyst Brad Russell, causing many mobile networks to struggle to keep up with the increased usage. “A renewed concern for the elderly, vulnerable, and socially isolated will drive appreciation of technologies that keep loved ones connected, cared for, and safe,” Russell said, citing telemedicine, remote patient monitoring and independent living solutions requiring fixed-line calling. The fixed telephone line is still an important lifeline for the elderly, rural residents and lower income households, Parks said.