PLDT launches PH’s own 911 with SOS Dispatch

For years, the country has looked upon the US 911 security system as a rescue and emergency response model—but we simply don’t have the means to have even a subpar copy. This year, PLDT takes on the challenge of realizing a swift, action-oriented safety and response system through Smart SOS Dispatch.

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The underlying principle is simple: citizens only need to contact a number that is connected to the command center. All the relevant data such as type of response needed, time, and location are then gathered and sent to the nearest concerned responding units in near-real time.

This vision is materialized through Smart’s robust network coverage, the Genaker IP-based Push To Talk (PTT) feature that allows secure and widespread one-to-one or one-to-many communication between field teams, and the NowForce emergency response application for rapid, long-distance, and high-speed communication between the command center and the first responders over the Internet. All this happens inside ruggedized, shock- and water-resistant (IP68) Android smartphones designed for emergencies.

Best used by LGUs

The telecommunications giant especially noted the potential of the SOS Dispatch in macro-scale settings, including university campuses, large companies, and most notably, local government units (LGUs). This new end-to-end incident management system “is highly beneficial for LGUs, especially in barangays where responding units should be more accessible and centralized,” said FVP and Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Groups Jovy Hernandez.

The city of Bacoor in Cavite and the province of Ilocos Norte were the pioneering LGUs to implement the SOS Dispatch. Hernandez also encourages regional hubs seeing growth in demand in security and safety such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao to adopt this model.

“We look forward to partnering with all local government units in implementing the system nationwide. Technology cannot do it alone. Technology plus people is the right formula,” she added.

The Smart SOS Dispatch comes at an exclusive package for LGUs at only ₱3,500 per month per device. The ruggedized Android device comes with Genaker PTT, NowForce apps, Unlimited Calling Circle, and allocated SMS for all networks for 30 months.