Free SMS from SAP and Philippine partners in typhoon aftermath

  • From Nov 11-25, international SMSes delivered via SAP Mobile Services were at no cost
  • SAP in partnership with Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular

Free SMS from SAP and Philippine partners in typhoon aftermathSAP AG provided free international SMS for Philippines telecom operators to enable Filipinos with overseas family and friends to reach each other in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
 
From Nov 11 through Nov 25, international SMS messages that were delivered through SAP Mobile Services’ SMS interconnection network were at no cost for subscribers from Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular, SAP said in a statement.
 
SAP Mobile Services partnered with the three Filipino operators in support of their relief efforts to facilitate Filipino citizens’ overseas SMS communication during this critical period. This enabled the millions of Filipino citizens with overseas family and friends to reach each other more easily.
 
“In support of the Filipino community’s rebuilding and recovery, SAP is committed to contributing in a meaningful way by facilitating communication with overseas families and friends through unlimited international SMS services,” said Matthew Tonkin, vice president, SAP Mobile Services, Asia Pacific Japan.
 
“We are dedicated to playing our part in support of relief efforts led by our longstanding mobile operator partners in the Philippines,” he added.
 
Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, swept through the Philippines on Nov 8, leaving nearly 4,000 dead and about 1,600 missing, as well as more than four million homeless.

“Globe kept the lines of communications open between our Globe and TM subscribers in the Visayas region and their loved ones abroad,” said Gil Genio, executive vice president and COO for International and Business Markets, Globe Telecom.
 
“Part of our corporate response to help was our enterprise-wide initiative, Bangon Pinoy, where we work closely with industry stakeholders such as SAP to ensure our customers who were affected by the disaster still had basic services and other forms of relief,” he added.
 
Sun Cellular and Smart subscribers in the areas hit by Typhoon Haiyan continued sending free international SMS messages until Nov 25. A few days after the typhoon hit eastern Visayas, the two networks started offering free international SMS messages to aid typhoon victims in communicating with their friends and families abroad. SAP has joined the effort to more seamlessly facilitate this relief service.
 
“While we continue to restore and strengthen our communication services, we are also keen on working with various organisations to expedite rehabilitation and make it easier for those who intend to send help and reach out to the victims,” said Charles A. Lim, chief operating officer of Sun Cellular and executive vice president of Smart Communications.
 
“We thank our international partners like SAP for helping to intensify our relief efforts for our typhoon-stricken countrymen in the Visaya,” he added.
 
In addition to the international SMS partnership supporting local telecom operators, SAP Asia Pacific Japan and the global SAP network are actively aiding in relief efforts for Filipino citizens affected by Typhoon Haiyan, including immediate aid, employee volunteering, ongoing fundraising and other special initiatives alongside international and Philippines-based NGO partners.
 
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