Wasting internet bandwidth at home may prevent others from accessing valuable data

HALBAN The internet has become a vital source for teaching, learning, communication as well as research. The German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) has introduced online teaching in the last month. However, the internet consumption requires a responsible consuming behaviour of the entire community, similar to water consumption. Through the internet, we are all connected. “If you waste your internet bandwidth at home, you may prevent others who urgently need internet access from valuable data,” said Prof. Dr. Nabil Sahli, Head of the Department of Computer Sciences at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).

He added that “the current pandemic COVID-19, has taught us that we should stop thinking selfishly, if we want to survive. If we do not provide the same healthcare and prevention measures to all, the virus will spread in the community. Similarly, if we take all the bandwidth of the internet for ourselves we will prevent others from even small data packets. Consequently, they will have difficulties to teach and learn online, do business, or communicate with others online.”

Prof. Nabil explained that internet users of the same internet address (ISP) usually have limited bandwidth within their neighborhoods. “Currently the internet is becoming a vital resource for our everyday-lives, a public utility, similar to water and electricity. Most of us will try not to waste water or electricity in order to avoid getting high bills,” said Prof. Nabil. In some countries tap water is free-of-charge or it is subsidized like here in the Gulf region. This increases the risk of wasting water. “Most people who know that water is a vital, scarce, natural resource, they will not waste it. In the same way, internet consumers who have unlimited Internet access at home should not let go their YouTube or Netflix streaming while they are off,” said Prof. Nabil Sahli while highlighting that charges can regulate the data consumption. “Those consumers who have limited internet connection and who pay for their downloaded and uploaded data, will usually use the internet with more moderation,” he said.