Company
Date Published
Author
Gunjan Gupta
Word count
1792
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Here is a 1-paragraph summary of the text, covering key points in an objective, neutral, and interesting tone: Twilio Flex has integrated Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) as a powerful channel for humanitarian operations, enabling direct connection to mobile networks without internet requirements. USSD offers several advantages over SMS, including real-time two-way communication, more structured interactions, and cost-effectiveness. Its ability to work across all devices and be used in areas with limited access to smartphones and mobile data makes it an ideal channel for providing direct assistance to people affected by disasters or other crises. By integrating USSD into Twilio Flex, organizations can create a low-cost and secure communication solution that is particularly suitable for situations where privacy and safety are vital. The process involves setting up a Twilio account, installing the Twilio CLI, getting an USSD code from a provider, and deploying a server-side solution using Telerivet.