Instant Network Emergency Response

Responding to disaster, improving preparedness, innovating humanitarian technology solutions

Communication in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is crucial to support those affected, assess damage and coordinate rescue and relief efforts.

Instant Network Emergency Response (INER) has transformed how we connect people in crisis. When emergency strikes, Vodafone Foundation deploys highly trained Vodafone volunteers to restore free vital connectivity for survivors, refugees, search and rescue teams and aid agencies.

INER is also building resilience from the ground up. We are training communities to set up and manage their own emergency networks, to speed up response times and empower people to take charge of their own response when it matters most.

Local hubs

INER deploys across the world in times of emergency. Local hubs are in the following locations.

Albania

Czech Republic

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Mozambique

Netherlands

Portugal

Powered by volunteers and innovation

The backbone of INER is the people. Vodafone volunteers have been involved from the start – developing the technology, deploying to emergencies, deepening their expertise with each mission, and using this knowledge to shape and guide the programme.

Emergency response is a fast-changing field, in terms of technology and the increasing scale of natural disasters as well as ever-changing geo-political conditions. The INER team is constantly looking at how best we can use Vodafone’s technology, people, and services to respond to humanitarian challenges.

Responded to emergencies in 22 countries

missions in 14 years through Instant Network Emergency Response

countries have local hubs

250 +

total volunteers

About the technology

Instant Network Emergency Response has a history of innovating technology solutions. From the original Instant Network 2G Network in 2012, through the Instant Wifi and Instant Wifi Mini Kits of today.

This is where it all started in 2012. The Vodafone Instant Network is an ultra-portable 2/3/4G GSM network that packs into 2 cases and weighs less than 65kg.

The cases are transportable on commercial flights and allow emergency response partners such as Télécoms sans Frontières to respond immediately to any disaster, travelling with emergency communications equipment. Once on location a network can be established in less than 40 minutes.

The Instant Network provides 2G and 3G connectivity, has inbuilt wireless capability and secure connectivity via firewall and VPN. And can be deployed anywhere in the world, in any scenario.

The Vodafone Instant Wifi solution provides a secure and safe Wifi environment for up to 1500 users. In quick operation mode, the Instant Wifi is able to operate within minutes to create a wifi cloud over an approximate 80m range, serving up to 500 users. For a larger deployment, the extra access points included allow to extend the capacity and the area of coverage to 1500 users across an area of up to 10,000 m².

Instant Wifi is able to provide access to the internet via 4G connections, via fast wired connections.

Key Features

All in one box solution in ruggedized casing
Pre-configured solution can be operational in minutes
Cloud-based management with live reporting capabilities
Weighs less than 25 kg and easily transportable on commercial flights
Uses either 220V AC mains power or 12V DC power from solar or car battery

Instant Charge was initially developed to support UNHCR and refugees arriving on the shores of Europe.

Unlike many refugee situations in other parts of the world, most refugee families arriving in Europe have smart phones - rather than feature phones- therefore involving an increasing need for access to power. Vodafone Foundation Instant Charge is a single box that, combined with a generator or another power source, has the capabilities to charge up to 66 phones simultaneously.

The solution has been designed in 4 different modules created to prevent overcrowding in emergency environments, a large problem with very dense charging solutions and a potential source of a flashpoint in tense situations. It has also been designed to be used outdoor and with limited man intervention. The system supplies 3 x 20 port USB charging complete with 70cm cables so users do not require chargers or cables to recharge their handsets. In addition, there is a single 6 output extension cable, capable of charging a further 6 phones or other devices. The system can use any combination of 1 to all 4 modules simultaneously depending on need.

Knowledge hub

Building resilience to local emergencies

A Blueprint for Smarter Aid

Discussions around new funding models in the development sector have dominated discussions at UNGA this year. So Lisa Felton, Managing Director of Vodafone Foundation has been considering what a blueprint for future funding could look like, based on the Foundationâ€™s experience, especially the m-mama programme which has demonstrated a different approach, by delivering national, government-funded maternal emergency transport at a fraction of traditional costs, and now scaling across Africa. Read on to understand how smarter philanthropy can deliver lasting results.