Simplify brings Internet to Ipoh nursing home on World Telecom Day

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Digital divide is not just a gap between the rich and the poor, but also the young and the old. In 2020, 71% of the world’s youth (aged between 15 and 24 years) were using the Internet, compared with 57% of the other age groups1. In the early morning of May 9, 2022, a team of young caring volunteers from Simplify arrived at the Procare Home for Senior Care in Tambun, Ipoh with a car fully loaded with food supplies, daily necessities and Wi-Fi Internet routers valued at more than RM2,000. Ms. Rathi Garaj, the caretaker of the nursing home, was overjoyed and offered a warm welcome to the visiting Simplify team. She hosted and briefed the team that there are 15 senior persons currently living at Procare Home, and that they were appreciative of the social responsibility effort made by Simplify.

 

Simplify donates daily necessities such as rice, tea, soap powder, biscuits etc. to Procare Nursing Home in Ipoh.

In-line with 2022 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day’s theme, Simplify responds to the International Telecommunication Union’s call to accelerate digital technologies for older persons and healthy aging, by sponsoring high-specification Internet router with one year complimentary Internet subscription for the nursing home.

 

Led by Bakary Kante, the team took no time to unbox and power up Simplify’s plug-and-play Starter Pack router. Internet signal and speed tests were conducted at various points in the house to ensure optimum signal quality. Finally, the team was happy with overall 45Mbps Internet speed, which is a lot better than any basic fiber Internet plan available out there. Now, senior citizens residing at Procare Home can stay connected with their families and friends, enabled through digital technologies.


Bakary Kante (right) helped set up a Simplify Starter Pack router at Procare Home.


“Equitable access to digital technologies isn’t just a moral responsibility, it’s essential for global prosperity and sustainability. This includes the more than 1 billion people aged 60 years or older at the center of this year’s celebrations of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.” says Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General in his media statement today.


Ms. Rathi Garaj (middle) was pleased with the overall Internet speed provided by Simplify.

 

On a separate note, the CEO of Simplify, Yen Pei Tay says “Philanthropy should not only start when you're big or rich, small businesses like ours can always contribute our part to brighten other living beings”. Investing in small community projects such as this is vital for Simplify, as the startup believes that equitable and affordable access to a faster Internet is everyone's right. Simplify has brought Internet sharing to the world with its Smarter WiFi patented technology, with the aim to democratize Internet access for everyone in a secure and seamless manner.


Lana Shakh (Left) and Gwen Stefani Villarba (Middle) share the benefits of Simplify Starter Pack router with Ms. Rathi Garaj (Right).

Since the Internet has become a requirement for meaningful participation in society, where one can obtain health care, education, employment, and entertainment. Simplify, in increasing the digital inclusion index, ensures that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to fast and stable internet connection. When older citizens are exposed to Internet technologies, they can use the Internet for a variety of meaningful activities, while also preparing them to help themselves if urgent need arises.

 

WTISD 2022 raises awareness about the important role of telecommunications/ICTs in supporting people to stay healthy, connected and independent, physically, emotionally and financially – to a life of healthy ageing – and as critical for the sustainability of economic and health systems.


References

  1. Young people more connected than the rest of the population. (2022, February 17). Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://www.itu.int/highlights-report-activities/highlights-report-activities/agenda_section/young-people-more-connected-than-the-rest-of-the-population/