Zoom is a video conference software with platform features that include high-definition feeds, login-free browser access, breakout rooms, multi-user video-conferencing with both paid and free plans.
As the world learns to navigate work and social interaction virtually, the conferencing software experienced explosive growth resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020 alone, Zoom's business customer base grew by 470.33%.
Other notable features include “Multicast” which allows broadcasting Zoom webinar across multiple social platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube simultaneously.
The meeting capacity has also increased to 500 participants at a time for paid users.
Zoom is most trusted for its reliable, virtually latency-free connection tested by 300 million daily meeting participants except in China.
Despite being somewhat functional, the same Zoom webinar offers a different experience to participants in China than they do globally.
As of Aug 23, 2020, Zoom has shifted to a partner-only model in China.
As of 2021, Zoom requires compulsory login in China with the corresponding user data stored in its onshore data centers.
Besides compulsory mobile login on the end-user front, Zoom also runs on its local version in China that requires a subscription from the meeting hosts before use.
If you’re a meeting host, you will need to purchase a professional enterprise account from Zoom-authorised partners exclusively to host users joining from within the border.
There is limited English support and you may need to have an in-China contact person to be able to get in touch with local Zoom partners.
See a complete list of Zoom-authorised partners in China.