Euskaltel provides customers with free 30 GB #StayAtHome voucher
Bilbao, 25 March. Euskaltel continues to expand its range of measures and one of its objectives is to help customers connect whilst they are isolated at home during the coronavirus crisis. The Company recommends using the landline instead of mobile phones and using the home Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet. For people who have no Wi-Fi access due to their work or because of where they are physically isolated, Euskaltel is offering 30 GB a month for free to keep them connected.
The Company is therefore improving mobile connectivity and adding the #StayAtHome Voucher. This voucher offers an extra free 30 GB data allowance a month for all post-paid mobile lines.
It can be activated up until 11 April and the #StayAtHome voucher will be used first, followed by the GB allowance included in the customer's mobile rate. The offer is aimed at post-paid mobile customers who cannot be at home due to their work and need to connect to the Internet and people who are physically isolated in places with no access to the fixed network.
To activate the 30 GB allowance, customers just need to access their private area on the website (www.euskaltel.com) or from the Euskaltel APP and go to 'Products', where they'll see the post-paid mobile lines under contract and can activate more free GB (in two consecutive vouchers of 15 GB each).
As well as ensuring Internet connections in homes and businesses, Euskaltel continues to launch initiatives in line with the emergency situation affecting all citizens. In addition to the free GB vouchers for mobile phones, Euskaltel has been broadcasting various cinema channels free for the whole family, and has opened up children's channels to all TV customers automatically without them having to do anything and regardless of the bundle under contract. The children's channels are Panda, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Baby TV, Nick and Nick Jr.
To further help young people who are studying at home, Euskaltel has included the Special History Channel in its on-demand video platforms with over 25 history programmes that teach in an entertaining way, particularly aimed at students who are currently unable to attend school.
Another TV service initiative undertaken by Euskaltel is the opening up of the total TV mode on the EdononTB app for people who unfortunately have to be or accompany someone in hospital.
Euskaltel hopes that these measures will make leisure time easier for families, as evidence shows that the average time spent watching TV is currently 5 hours a day, i.e. 31% more than usual. Moreover, time spent watching on-demand content is up 17% and there are 13 times more viewers watching the free-view film channels offered under the #StayAtHome programming.
The Euskaltel Group continues working to ensure that communications between people remain at optimum levels in terms of quality and user experience. Systems and network equipment are being adapted to cope with higher than usual traffic during this health crisis and home confinement scenario.
From a technology point of view, given the increased use already seen and expected use over the coming days as a result of greater use of telecommunications for teleworking and home entertainment purposes, a large team of professionals, comprising 800 people, is working daily to expand existing capacity and ensure the networks are fit for purpose.
Due to the state of emergency being declared, new patterns of telephone use have been seen and every day is a learning experience. Evidence has shown, however, that teleworking does not saturate the networks; rather it is actually domestic use and more specifically the demand for video services, that increases demand. Whenever possible, it is a good idea to use the landline for voice communications.
The Euskaltel Group would encourage customers to use telecommunications services responsibly so as to reduce congestion on certain services. This is not a warning that services will be unavailable, but rather to ensure a better experience. The main message is one of peace of mind, as the networks are adapted to cope with increased traffic, they are being monitored 24x7 and when usage patterns (which are very different from the usual patterns) shoot up, the necessary upgrades are launched. Our objective is always to guarantee service during this health crisis.
Specifically, the most popular service recently has been mobile voice, with double the amount of calls each day and, most importantly, a peak increase of 50%. Peak time is when all users want to connect to the service at the same time. This is why Euskaltel recommends using the landline to alleviate this peak.
Daily use of broadband services has increased by 80% and, once again, the peak increase is over 50%. These services are being monitored and capacity expanded when necessary without conflicting with essential emergency services. It is important to note that teleworking hours do not coincide with the point in the day when data are most in demand, from 8pm onwards.
Bearing in mind that usage patterns in the last 10 days are greater than normal, Euskaltel and the other operators continue to recommend the following guidelines to ensure a good service experience:
- Use the landline for voice calls, given that we are at home.
- Use the home Wi-Fi network to access the Internet.
- Use shared tools (Skype, Teams, Whatsapp, etc.) for voice calls.
- Avoid sending large files and send links instead.
- Download large files at off-peak times.
- Use audio-conferencing instead of video-conferencing.
It should be noted that the Euskaltel Group's network capacity and ability to provide optimum telecommunications services during this crisis are a result of the investments made over the last 20 years by the Group's three brands -Euskaltel, R and Telecable- so that homes and companies in the regions in which they operate -the Basque Country, Galicia and Asturias- have access to one of the most advanced state-of-the-art telecommunications networks in Europe, with over 800,000 kilometres of optical fibre and investments of Euros 3 billion.
In summary, a rational and responsible use of the networks will allow all of us (service providers, companies and individuals) to enjoy quality communications that are sustainable over time, when faced with greater workloads and home schooling needs that may last several weeks.