Maxis & Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong (Ogilvy) have developed and launched a one-of-a-kind portable communications device that allows people to call for help when power supplies or network outage occurs during heavy monsoon rains and flooding.
The SOS device is easy to use and can be set up within minutes in a flood- affected area, which provides an interim solution until normal telecoms infrastructure is restored.
The Maxis SOS Network is set up using weather-proof boxes that consist of multiple ‘mesh nodes’ and a battery, router and antenna. The nodes are specifically designed to be placed on the rooftops of houses and buildings in affected areas, connecting with each other to form a mesh communications network.
During a network outage (caused by flooding, etc), all smartphones are then able to connect to the SOS ‘wifi’ network regardless of service provider, allowing users to send messages unhindered within the area. Only a few mesh nodes are needed to cover an area of several square kilometers. The battery in each node lasts for one week and can be recharged via solar, generator, mains or car battery.
Maxis SOS Network is currently deployed in Kuala Krai, Kelantan.
