Both internet usage and capacity has seen a surge since March 2020. However, it is important to point out, that the majority of the increase in internet usage has been real-time connections (like videoconferencing), more than consumption (such as streaming video). This highlighted the importance of latency in day-to-day internet use. Throughput being the key internet performance metric often fails to asses real-life performance of latency-aware applications such as video calls. A slower but reliable connection makes it possible to take part in such conference, whereas a high-speed but unstable connection might not be suitable. This brings the need for the network operators to take a closer look into latency, which, on top of throughput, became an important performance metric.

Further reading:

https://www.lightreading.com/services/podcast-nick-feamster-on-how-pandemic-highlighted-our-biggest-network-needs/v/d-id/769088

https://www.machinedesign.com/medical-design/article/21157015/how-the-covid19-pandemic-highlights-the-importance-of-latency-in-internet-access

https://www.telecompetitor.com/report-pandemic-drives-a-35-increase-in-global-internet-capacity/