Digicel gives free access to TTPS app in emergencies

Digicel customers with no credit or data left on their plan can still access the emergency call feature of the TTPS mobile app, the company's general manager Reyanne Sobers said on Monday.

Sobers also announced at the police weekly media briefing at Sackville Street, Port of Spain, that emergency alerts will also be sent to customers without data or credit on their accounts.

She said the decision to zero-rate emergency bulletins and calls on the app was in keeping with Digicel's mandate to improve the lives of customers.

"For Digicel customers, thanks to this partnership, you will not need data to access the SoS feature: this will be free,"

She said when setting up the app, the SoS feature will require some personal information and selected emergency contacts.

"Once properly set up, Digicel's customers will now be able to send an emergency SoS alert directly to the police command centre in times of emergency either by long-pressing the "See something, Say something"logo on the app, or by clicking the small red SoS icon.

"In addition to this you can now use the app's crime reporting feature, police updates feature and location-based notifications on traffic disruptions, weather alerts and emergency alerts, even if you are out of bundle and have no data or credit on your phones."

Sobers said data or WiFi would be required to download the app and sign in, but not to send an emergency signal.

She also said while links to external pages on social media or news sites will require data, the company will be introducing a "Pay as You Go" prompt to buy a plan to prevent unwanted credit charges.

CEO of Digicel TT Abraham Smith said he was happy to be part of the initiative with the police to enhance the lines of communication between customers and the authorities.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, Smith cited his own upbringing byhis mother and sisters, and lamented the frequency of gender-based violence in TT, also highlighting the need for a combined approach to tackle the situation.

"It's been heartbreaking that we have become all too familiar with news headlines and stories that clearly indicate that we need to do more.

"Women are under threat and are being attacked and we must adopt a multi-faceted approach to work together to teach equality in our homes and other institutions, hold men accountable for their behaviour and empower and equip women with tools to keep them safe as an added precaution."