DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a leading Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator is working closely with their Service Partner, SMART Communications, to facilitate relief efforts in the typhoon-stricken municipalities of the Philippines. To date, Thuraya and Smart have deployed over 100 units of the Thuraya SF2500, SatSleeve and the Thuraya XT to Philippine government agencies as well as relief organizations such as the Red Cross to help establish critical communication channels and facilitate relief coordination efforts.
In aid of the typhoon survivors, Smart has converted over 70 Marino Phonepal (SF2500) units for use for basic voice calling on land. These units are being utilized as free call centers in over 27 municipalities. The units enable survivors to contact family members who live outside of the disaster areas.
Bilal El Hamoui, Vice President of Distribution at Thuraya said, “Our hearts go out to the survivors. Thuraya and Smart have been working closely since last week to ensure that government and relief organizations are equipped with mobile satellite handsets needed to establish vital communication. Thuraya’s robust network ensures congestion-free satellite communications to enable survivors to reach out to their loved ones and facilitate aid workers in coordinating relief efforts, in places where the GSM network has been destroyed.”
Smart’s Chief Wireless Advisor, Orlando Vea, said, “Being based in the Philippines has enabled Smart to be one of the first responders after the typhoon struck. Almost immediately, we were able to reach out to government and relief organizations to help them assess the situation and work with them to establish their communication needs. With Thuraya’s help, we were also able to convert the Marino Phonepals into free call centers so that survivors can make contact with their loved ones. Satellite communications is vital in such situations and is one of the most impactful ways to ensure that relief efforts can be delivered as quickly as possible. We believe that there is still a lot to be done and continue to work with Thuraya to hasten the process as much as we can.”
*Source: ME-NewsWire