Description

CrisisSignal, developed by OpenSignal, is designed to collectrealtime data on cellular and Wi-Fi coverage during and afteremergency situations. Communication is key to assisting communitiesin the wake of disasters, and CrisisSignal allows for real timeupdates on the state of networks.

The app should be downloaded onto devices that will be used in thedisaster-afflicted areas, and can be used by anyone – localcommunities, volunteers and professionals. Data collected fromevery user will be aggregated to build a real time map ofcoverage.

A detailed explanation of how to use the app and maximise datacollection while minimising battery and data usage is available onthe CrisisSignal Forum at http://opensignal.com/blog/forums/forum/crisissignal/.The OpenSignal team will also post links to the maps generated fromCrisisSignal data on the forum, and will be on hand to answerquestions users might have.

Please note, the app will only collect information on the cellularnetwork if the device has an activated sim card. Data on Wi-Ficonnection can still be collected if the device does not have a simcard. The app also has a number of settings for collecting data.The instructions on the forum explain the different settings andgive tips on how to set your own.

CrisisSignal has been used in several emergency responsesituations, such as after Hurricane Sandy in New York in 2012 incollaboration with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) and following typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. Itis also being rolled out in West Africa to monitor coverage inebola afflicted countries in collaboration with Nethope, UNMEER andthe Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Further details are availableon the CrisisSignal forum.

CrisisSignal comes with no guarantees and has been developedfree of charge. Thank you for helping!

For feature requests, sharing ideas on how to use the app and totest the latest version, join our community: http://opnsg.nl/crisissignal-beta-community