Dailog initiates mass alert warning system
First Mass Alert Emergency Warning System was launched by Dialog
leads unique initiative supported by University of Moratuwa and
Microimage.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka, together with
Dialog Telekom launched Sri Lanka’s first mass alert warning system -
the Disaster and Emergency Warning Network (DEWN), under the patronage
of Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe.
DEWN was developed by Dialog Telekom in collaboration with its
partners the Dialog - University of Moratuwa Mobile Communications
Research Laboratory and Microimage, following research and development
undertaken after the tsunami disaster of 2004.
DEWN is controlled by the DMC and is a Corporate Responsibility
initiative by Dialog Telekom of national significance with potential to
transform the mobile phone into a life-saving device during emergency
situations. This entirely non-commercial undertaking is a wonderful
example of multi-sector entities pooling strengths to develop a
high-quality product a press release states.
DEWN is a system that is being tested by the DMC to alert Dialog
mobile users of potential disasters via a method called ‘Cell
broadcast’. Users only need to configure area information reception
settings on their Dialog mobiles to receive the alerts issued.
The launch of this ICT for Development initiative is viewed as an
ideal way to herald the Year of Information Communication Technology and
English as declared by President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. DEWN uses ICT to
transmit alerts through the GSM network. Cell Broadcast is currently
available only on the Dialog GSM network and not yet available on 3G
mode.
Speaking at the launch event Minister Samarasinghe, said “Since the
2004 tsunami the whole world is aware of the importance of disaster
management. DEWN in Sri Lanka attempts at providing a solution towards
the safety of our people.
DEWN is an excellent example of the private sector joining hands with
the Government for the benefit of the nation, and all parties involved
in this great initiative deserve praise for the amount of hard work put
in over the past years to develop a world class product.
I urge the people of Sri Lanka to educate themselves on appropriate
ways to react to emergency situations, which can play a big part in
successfully mitigating damage in potential disaster scenarios.” |