Vodafone Group Plc Vodafone Foundation Instant Network deployed-Nepal
29 April 2015 - 4:04PM
RNS Non-Regulatory
TIDMVOD
Vodafone Group Plc
29 April 2015
29 April 2015
Vodafone Foundation Instant Network team deployed to Nepal
-- Vodafone Foundation Instant Network team now in Kathmandu and
preparing to deploy Instant Network equipment to connect rescue
workers and relatives
-- First-ever deployment of Instant Network Mini 'network in a backpack'
-- Vodafone's philanthropic arm supports relief effort with GBP100,000 donation
The Vodafone Foundation Instant Network Mini, a portable 'mobile
network in a backpack', has been taken to the Kathmandu Valley in
Nepal to help restore communications to some of the areas worse
affected by last weekend's earthquake.
The Instant Network Mini, an 11kg mobile network in a backpack
which can be set up in just 10 minutes, has arrived in Kathmandu
with the Instant Network team leader on a commercial flight. The
Instant Network team will offer support to local operators to help
restablish mobile communications, helping aid workers communicate
during the relief effort and enabling people to contact their loved
ones following the devastating earthquake.
The Vodafone Foundation has a team of volunteers, all Vodafone
employees, on standby to deploy additional Instant Network
equipment, including the larger, 100kg Vodafone Foundation Instant
Network - a mobile network in four suitcases which can be taken on
a commercial flight - as well as a new 3G version of the Instant
Network.
The team, working alongside NGO Télécoms Sans Frontières, is
currently awaiting instruction from the local operators and NGOs
working in Nepal as to when and where the equipment should be
deployed. The equipment will be deployed once the scope of the
mission is confirmed.
The Instant Network Mini is a robust backpack that can be taken
as hand luggage on commercial flights and deployed by non-technical
staff. Instant Network Mini can connect up to five mobile phone
users to global telecoms networks within a radius of 100 metres and
enable text messages to be sent to thousands of people to provide
crucial information following a disaster.
The larger Vodafone Foundation Instant Network is light enough
to travel in the back of a car or on commercial flights, enabling a
quick response to disasters. Consisting of an antenna, a foldable
mast, an industrial computer and base transceiver station, the
equipment is powered by generators and can provide coverage within
a radius of one kilometre. The Vodafone Foundation Instant Network
was deployed in the Philippines in November 2013 during Typhoon
Haiyan, where over 443,000 calls were made and 1.4 million SMS were
sent in 29 days.
The Vodafone Foundation has also announced that it has made a
donation of GBP100,000 to the UK Disaster Emergency Appeal (DEC) to
support the relief effort in Nepal.
This is the second time in two months that the Vodafone
Foundation has responded with emergency telecommuncations support
in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In March, a team of
volunteers deployed to Tanna Island, Vanuatu, where they supported
humanitarian calling operations to those affected by Cyclone
Pam.
Andrew Dunnett, Vodafone Foundation Director, said:
"Establishing communications in the aftermath of a natural disaster
is crucial, both for the coordination of aid and to enable those
affected to reconnect with family and friends. Through our Instant
Network programme, we are able to deploy our people and our
technology to provide communications support at a critical
time."
- ends -
For further information:
Vodafone Group Media Relations:
www.vodafone.com/media/contact
About the Vodafone Foundation
The Vodafone Foundation's Mobile for Good programme combines
Vodafone's charitable giving and technology to make a difference in
the world. Globally, the Vodafone Foundation supports projects that
are focused on delivering public benefit through the use of mobile
technology across the areas of health, education and disaster
relief. The Vodafone Foundation invests in the communities in which
Vodafone operates and is at the centre of a network of global and
local social investment programmes. The Vodafone Foundation is a UK
registered charity, registered charity number 10989625.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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