Holmdel-based Vonage on Wednesday released “Video Communication Soars as Businesses and Service Providers Respond to Coronavirus” a report detailing rapid growth in video communications usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report provides unique insight into how organizations are leveraging programmable video solutions to stay connected even in a time of crisis, including a look at total video minutes for Vonage customers, which increased 232 percent in March.
“COVID-19 has drastically changed everyday life, and organizations are seeking ways to minimize the disruption to their operations while keeping their employees safe. Vonage Video APIs are embedded in businesses’ existing applications, powering solutions that are connecting people and delivering services in a personal, seamless and safe way when in-person interactions are just not an option,” said Alan Masarek, CEO, Vonage.
Masarek continued, “The availability of off-the-shelf video conferencing solutions has garnered a lot of attention for remote work in recent weeks. However, without the ability to provide embedded, programmable video functionality, these off-the-shelf solutions don’t address the need most businesses have to power essential services during this public health crisis, including telehealth, distance learning, finance, fitness and so many others.”
Vonage reported that industries providing essential services during this global health crisis, including health care and education, experienced major increases in video traffic.
Overall video traffic for telehealth services provided by Vonage increased 727 percent between February and March.
The education industry experienced a 36 percent increase in overall video minutes between February and March 2020, as educators turn to web-based instruction, virtual classrooms and office hours, and tutoring via video.
Industries that help keep essential systems running smoothly, including technology and business services such as consulting, financial services and training, have also experienced video-traffic surges between February and March. Month over month. Video traffic from technology companies increased 287 percent; Social media platforms and messaging apps are also experiencing widespread video traffic, with a 271 percent increase; Business service providers experienced a 222 percent increase; Financial services firms realized a 155 percent increase; and Media industry companies experienced a 120 percent increase in month-over-month video traffic.