Vodafone volunteers to re-establish network in Vanuatu

Vodafone volunteers to re-establish mobile network in Vanuatu

Two Vodafone New Zealand staff are en route to Port Villa in Vanuatu to help re-establish mobile communications as part of the Vodafone Foundation’s Instant Network Programme.

Dunedin-based engineer, Mark Tynan and Wellington-based service manager, Lise Mackie have volunteered in response to an invitation by Telecoms Sans Frontieres and TVL – the local mobile operator – to provide assistance.

The Vodafone Foundation’s global Instant Network Programme was established to leverage Vodafone's extensive telecommunications capability to provide humanitarian response in times of need.

Vodafone’s Technology Director, Tony Baird says he’s incredibly proud of his volunteers.

“Our team is so passionate about the Instant Network programme. They were tracking the storm before it even made landfall and asking what they could do to help. When the call came from Telecoms Sans Frontieres, Lise and Mark dropped everything.

“We last deployed volunteers through the Instant Network programme in November 2013 in response to Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest storm to hit the Philippines. The Philippines deployment lasted 29 days, during which time Instant Network enabled 1.4 million text messages and 443,288 calls.”

The volunteer programme provides Vodafone employees from around the world with specialized training in the area of emergency telecommunications response, including the deployment of Vodafone Instant Network. Employees who complete training become part of an international network of emergency response volunteers. These volunteers remain on standby ready to deploy to the field in partnership with our emergency telecoms partners in the incident of a natural disaster of humanitarian emergency.

Vodafone’s Lise Mackie adds: “We’re really lucky to be in a position to help. We’re not sure what to expect when we get there, but we’re well prepared and have a variety of technology solutions in mind.”

Meet Mark and Lise here: http://bit.ly/vfinstantnetwork

ENDS

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