Smart partners with Philippine Red Cross, Nokia to test drones for disaster response

Smart partnered with the Philippine Red Cross and Nokia to conduct a series of test flights for drones in areas recently hit by calamities.

Smart partners with Philippine Red Cross, Nokia

Nokia Saving Lives x Smart #SafePH

Smart, Philippine Red Cross, Nokia testing drones for disaster response

The drones are part of Nokia Saving Lives, a non-profit initiative that provides innovative communication technology and expert assistance to emergency response teams like the Philippine Red Cross. The NSL solution includes a portable LTE network which connects to drones equipped with cameras and sensors, a high-performance server, and analytics application.

Smart is NSL's partner for the LTE frequency needed. For testing, a team of engineers and volunteers from the three organizations performed a trial flight in Sagnay, Camarines Sur. Last year, Massive flooding and landslides brought by tropical depression "Usman" put the province under a state of calamity.

Another test was held in Porac, Pampanga. The province was hit by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that shocked Luzon in April. The drone was able to connect real-time to PRC's control center via Smart LTE. This allowed volunteers to assess remote and inaccessible areas that can be dangerous for the responders to reach. This ability will improve the responder's ability to determine the situation and which situations need prioritization.

Nokia and Smart are both signatories to the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter which aims to provide increased access to communication and information to those affected by calamities.

Smart's contributions to PRC's efforts are part of the company's #SafePH advocacy that aims to help build resilient communities and reduce disaster-related casualties.

What do you guys think?