Ufone 4G, a leading telecommunications provider in Pakistan, has announced a partnership with ConnectHear, South Asia’s foremost assistive technology startup, to transform disaster response for deaf communities across the country. Supported by the GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges, this initiative leverages AI technology to ensure that deaf individuals receive vital information during emergencies like floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
In Pakistan, where over 10 million people are deaf or hard of hearing, inclusive communication tools during disasters are essential. Recent reports highlight that Pakistan is one of the top ten countries affected by climate-related disasters, with over 30 million people impacted by severe floods in 2022 alone. During such crises, communication networks are often disrupted, making it difficult for critical information to reach those in need. Deaf individuals are particularly vulnerable as they are often excluded from early warning systems due to communication barriers.
To tackle this issue, the partnership between Ufone 4G and ConnectHear aims to enhance ConnectHear’s virtual interpretation services, enabling them to function in low-connectivity environments. Additionally, an AI-powered system will be developed to automatically generate early warning messages in sign language. These innovations will ensure that deaf individuals receive real-time, life-saving updates during emergencies, bridging the communication gap for this underserved community.
Ufone’s extensive telecom network, which serves over 26 million subscribers across Pakistan, will be pivotal in distributing AI-generated sign language alerts, ensuring that deaf individuals nationwide are reached with essential information. As part of the collaboration, Ufone 4G will zero-rate the ConnectHear app on its network, allowing users to access these critical services without the need for a data package or mobile balance. This step will eliminate financial and technical barriers, ensuring that even the most vulnerable individuals are not left behind during disasters.
Syed Atif Raza, Group Chief Commercial Officer at PTCL and Ufone 4G, stated, “At Ufone 4G, we believe access to timely, accurate information during emergencies is a lifeline. Our collaboration with ConnectHear represents a significant step in ensuring inclusivity in disaster response. By enabling AI-driven sign language alerts and providing zero-rated access to the ConnectHear app, we are removing barriers that often isolate vulnerable communities during crucial times.”
Arhum Ishtiaq, Co-Founder and CTO of ConnectHear, expressed his excitement about the partnership, “ConnectHear has been leading assistive technology for deaf individuals for nearly a decade. This partnership with Ufone 4G, supported by GSMA, enables us to extend our reach and ensure that our AI-powered services remain accessible even under the most challenging circumstances. We’re optimizing our services for low-bandwidth environments and generating automated sign language alerts to ensure deaf communities receive life-saving information in real time.”
Phillipe Bellordre, Head of the Innovation Fund at GSMA, emphasized the impact of the initiative, “The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges aims to foster transformative solutions to real-world challenges, and this partnership is a prime example. By providing deaf individuals with the tools to access life-saving information through AI-powered alerts and low-bandwidth solutions, this initiative demonstrates the power of technology in bridging critical gaps. We are proud to support a project that saves lives and sets a global precedent for inclusive disaster preparedness.”
The GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges has played a crucial role by providing funding to help develop and deploy these technologies. Representing over 750 mobile operators and 400 companies globally, GSMA supports mobile-based solutions that improve humanitarian outcomes for vulnerable populations. Their support allows ConnectHear to optimize its AI platform for low-bandwidth environments and create automated sign language alerts, in collaboration with humanitarian agencies. This initiative aligns with GSMA’s broader mission of leveraging mobile technologies for the greater good, particularly in times of crisis.
This project sets a new benchmark for inclusive disaster response by combining AI, mobile technology, and cross-industry collaboration. The successful implementation of this initiative in Pakistan will serve as a model for other countries and humanitarian organizations working to improve disaster preparedness for vulnerable communities worldwide.