In regions affected by the novel coronavirus, the demand for digital communication has surged dramatically. According to Mark Zuckerberg, during a conference call about Facebook's response to COVID-19, voice call usage on WhatsApp and Messenger in countries like Italy, significantly impacted by the virus, has more than doubled compared to regular levels.
This heightened call volume is likely due to people relying on virtual communication and socialization due to quarantine and social distancing measures. Consequently, this has led to a significant increase in data traffic across Facebook's servers.
In response to this surge in demand, Facebook has taken measures to bolster its server infrastructure. They have already doubled the server capacity for WhatsApp to ensure the smooth flow of communication. Zuckerberg emphasized the need to plan and prepare for any further infrastructure strain, particularly if the virus continues to spread in countries where WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are the primary modes of communication.
Zuckerberg noted, "While it's not a widespread outbreak in most countries yet, we need to be proactive in terms of infrastructure to prevent any potential breakdown as the situation evolves."
Specifically, Zuckerberg mentioned the increased WhatsApp call volume in Italy, a country currently under lockdown to curtail the virus's spread. He observed that the typical call volume spike is on New Year's Eve, but the current volume surpasses that by a significant margin, posing a unique challenge for the company's infrastructure team to manage effectively.
With the evolving situation, Facebook's employees are adjusting to new working conditions. Facebook's remote work policy will be enforced starting Thursday, with employees in essential roles responsible for maintaining servers and security working from the office. Zuckerberg likened these individuals to first responders during a crisis, highlighting their critical role in ensuring seamless communication.
Indeed, effective communication is crucial, especially during times of crisis.