prior to the event, telcos and their service/content providers are required to make sure that all systems (hardware, software, etc.) are stable and that back-up systems are ready in case any of the primary systems fail during the event. some people call it “lockdown”, others call it “network freeze”. at any rate, it only means that no one can make changes to the equipment, software, etc. during the freeze. this is to ensure that once a system is running, no one can make changes that may cause the system or parts of it to fail.

the network freeze is normally lifted after the event.

the reason i raised this point is to correct the impressions given by thelast statement of your article. that last statement implies that:
1. lockdowns only occur in china
2. lockdowns are bad and are not supposed to happen at all.

contrary to what that statement implies, lockdowns do happen not just in china, but in other countries as well, especially prior to really important events. it one way of making sure that no one monkeys around with a system that is working well. there is nothing wrong with this.

customers, service providers and content providers are given access to their equipment during the lockdown/network freeze only in emergency situations. again, there is nothing wrong with this.

it’s one way of telling everybody “guys, it ‘s working. don’t mess around with it until i tell you to, ok?”