The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka, together with Dialog Telekom PLC launched Sri Lanka’s first mass alert warning system – the Disaster & Emergency Warning Network (DEWN) today, under the patronage of Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights. 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.
Human-Centered Start To Year Of ICT

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 H.E. the 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.

"How DEWN Works:

The Emergency Operations Centre of the DMC has been given access to the secure DEWN alerting interface. When information is received by the DMC, the information is verified and alerts can be issued. The DMC takes responsibility to adequately verify any emergency situation and issue alerts.

In a potential disaster scenario, the DMC will first use DEWN to alert the emergency personnel on their individual phones, and public alerts will be issued only when a threat is adequately verified. In addition to messages received on mobile phones, specially designed DEWN remote alarms will also be used to alert nominated emergency personnel.

Speaking at the launch event Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Telekom PLC, said: “We have consistently striven to use modern technology to enrich the lives of people in Sri Lanka. Together with the Disaster Management Centre of the Government of Sri Lanka and our partners the Dialog-University of Moratuwa Mobile Communications Research Laboratory and Microimage, we are proud to have been granted the opportunity to deploy DEWN on a national scale. DEWN has secured many national and international awards for technology innovation – and is an achievement all Sri Lankans can be proud of – developed through Sri Lankan ingenuity and commitment, for the safety of our community, for the safety of Sri Lankans, under the control of the Disaster Management Centre. I would like to thank our partners and the Disaster Management Centre for their contribution and absolute dedication to this project. We believe that through our network which we reach over 5 million people, we can play a significant role in assisting the nation in a time of crisis, should the need arise”

International and Local Recognition:

DEWN has received a number of accolades, both international as well as local, for the concept and design. These include Commendation at GSM Global Awards - 2007, National Best Quality Software Awards - 2006, The National Awards for Science and Technology - 2006 and the Vodafone ‘World Around Us’ Workshop in Cairo - 200

Dialog Telekom’s Philosophy of Inclusion:

Dialog Telekom’s Corporate Responsibility practice focuses on reaching out to all segments of society, to enrich the nation through inclusion. The company is committed to serving the nation in support of national development goals through its community outreach initiatives while maintaining highest ethics in operations by good governance. Dialog Telekom champions the communications sector as a member of the United Nations Global Compact Sri Lanka steering committee and has the distinction of being the only operator in the world to win three consecutive GSM World Awards (from the world GSM body) for using digital technology for community benefit. For more information log on to www.dialog.lk/responsibility

About Dialog Telekom PLC:

Dialog Telekom PLC, an ISO 9001 certified company, is a subsidiary of TM International Berhad Group. The Company operates 2.5G and 3/3.5G Mobile Communications networks supporting the very latest in multimedia and mobile Internet services. Dialog Telekom PLC has the distinction of being the first 3G operator in South Asia to commence commercial operations. Its local coverage spans all provinces of Sri Lanka, while international roaming is provided in over 200 destinations. Dialog Telekom PLC, the largest and fastest growing cellular service in Sri Lanka, serves a subscriber base in excess of 5 million Sri Lankans. The company has the distinction of being the only operator in the world to win 3 GSM World Awards (from the world GSM body) for its innovations in the use of wireless technology.