Vodacom announced the launch of the SMS Emergency Service for Deaf or Hearing Impaired Customers in South Africa. The SMS Emergency Service Vodacom 082 112 SMS is free and provided to Vodacom prepaid, contractual and recharge customers who are deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired.
How to register?
Deaf, hearing and speech impaired customers must first sign up for the SMS Emergency service to use this service. To subscribe to the Emergency SMS service, customers must send the word “Register” to the number by SMS. 082 112.
When you subscribe to the Vodacom 082 112 Emergency SMS service, your mobile number and the nature of the disability will be required to be filled in. Customers must accept the terms and conditions for successful registration.
How to request help?
To request help during an emergency, the user must send an SMS with the keyword “Help” to 082 112 from any active Vodacom device.
When sending an SMS to help, include the following information:
- Type of emergency service you need. Example: police or ambulance service;
- Nature of the emergency. Example: catching fire;
- The location where the emergency is taking place, such as the address, street name, or nearby landmark (although location-based services are used to help identify your location).
If the user requests help and the Emergency Service agent is unable to obtain more information about it after an attempt within three minutes of their SMS, they will initiate contact with their close relatives. If the next of kin is not available, the agent will continue to send an ambulance or other emergency service provider.
