Mobile internet traffic in China during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday increased 36.4% over last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). On the main days of the holiday, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, mobile internet traffic increased 42.1% and 40.8% respectively, the MIIT said.
As the coronavirus outbreak confines millions of Chinese to their homes, more people are turning to online entertainment. Gaming and video streaming companies have seen surges in active users and time of use, industry analysts say.
Internet users also turned to online medical consultations offered by hospitals and internet companies to avoid crowds. Students are taking online classes and workers are using office apps. People are also increasingly using fresh food delivery services to shop for groceries.