This paper provides details of how well internet infrastructure is coping with increased internet use after lockdowns in 36 countries in Europe. Some countries and websites under the greatest stress have been identified by our research. Automated backbone routing methods are designed to maintain stability and assign traffic to the ‘best available’ routes, thereby avoiding pinch points and congestion.

Internet infrastructure appears to have accommodated growth in traffic volumes reported to be 40 per cent or more in many countries. Increased traffic has led to a 5.3 per cent decrease in average European connection speeds.

Internet infrastructure has been resilient. But we are still in the early stages of the global pandemic and sadly many more people will become ill. Managing and maintaining internet infrastructure when problems arise is a major undertaking. The resilience of the workforce is yet to be fully tested.