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Twilio's Low-Cost Solution for Connecting Migrant Workers in Singapore with Families
Technology Category
- Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Use Cases
- Speech Recognition
- Time Sensitive Networking
The Challenge
The migrant worker population in Singapore faced a significant challenge during the global pandemic. The need to connect with their families became critical, but technical and logistical issues made it difficult. Many of their families back home did not have access to Wi-Fi or could not afford data plans for calls via WhatsApp or Viber. Landlines were often the only option, but obtaining prepaid calling cards became challenging due to quarantine orders and the risk of virus spread. The situation was further complicated by the fact that many of these workers' families resided in Bangladesh, where the infrastructure for digital communication was not as robust.
About The Customer
The customers in this case are the migrant workers in Singapore, many of whom have families in Bangladesh. These workers faced significant challenges in communicating with their families due to the lack of Wi-Fi or affordable data plans in their home countries. The global pandemic further complicated the situation, making it difficult and risky to purchase prepaid calling cards. The Call Home app, powered by Twilio, provided a much-needed solution for these workers, enabling them to connect with their families more frequently and at a lower cost.
The Solution
A group of acquaintances participating in a Facebook and TikTok Techathon developed an app to help isolated seniors with 3G smartphones communicate with their loved ones. When they became aware of the predicament facing Singapore’s migrant worker population, they quickly pivoted to focus on that need. They partnered with Twilio to create an app called Call Home. Twilio’s Programmable Voice solution had the right features to make the Call Home app easy to use and quick to launch. It enabled low latency and clear audio capabilities, leading to higher and more reliable call quality compared to prepaid cards. Twilio’s Programmable SMS was also used as an internal solution to help onboard migrant workers to the app. To ensure cost-effectiveness, Twilio.org provided a discounted rate, leading to a significant decrease in calling costs.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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