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Turkcell Reaches 130 Thousand Syrians in 1 Month with “Hello Hope” Mobile Application

TKC | November 21, 2016

Turkcell Reaches 130 Thousand Syrians in 1 Month with “Hello Hope” Mobile Application

Turkcell, setting out with the goal of meeting the language, communication and information needs of Syrian immigrants in order to make their lives in Turkey easier, has reached 130 thousand active users in just one month with their “Hello Hope” mobile application. The public and free application is recommended by 98% of users.

Turkcell (NYSE:TKC) (BIST:TCELL) has achieved a big success by reaching 130 thousand active users in just one month with their “Hello Hope” application, developed in order to help Syrians adapt to their new lives in Turkey easier. The application, which allows anyone whose native language is Arabic and who will be staying short or long term in Turkey, including Syrian immigrants, to learn Turkish, communicate and access information, is free for all. In addition to Turkish colloquial speech, voice translation, and information required for emergencies and daily life in Turkey, the application also offers easy access to the Arabic Call Center.

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(Photo: Business Wire)

Terzioğlu: “We continue to offer hope with our technological strength”

Turkcell Chief Executive Officer Kaan Terzioglu, talking about the application developed by Turkcell Academy, stated that “With every step we have taken to date, we have aimed to use our technological strength for the benefit of society. When developing the “Hello Hope” project, we also set off with this aim, and wished for individuals staying short or long term in our country to have access to the same conditions as we do. In the project, focusing on equal opportunities, our aim was to prevent all immigrants whose native language is Arabic, Syrians in particular, from feeling out of place in terms of language and culture. I can proudly say that by reaching 130 thousand active users in a short span of one month, we have succeeded in our aim. We will continue to use our technology to stand by Syrian children and young people in this period of adaptation for the chance of a meaningful life, far from trauma.”

“There are 4.8 billion unique mobile subscribers worldwide, giving the mobile industry enormous potential to improve lives all around the globe," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "However, within this, refugees are among the most vulnerable communities. The mobile industry is playing a critical role in ensuring that refugees and those affected by humanitarian crisis can access mobile services to stay in touch with loved ones and access information and critical services. We welcome the leadership of GSMA members such as Turkcell, who are demonstrating the potential of mobile to reach refugees through initiatives like Hello Hope.”

Recommended by 98% of users

Of the highly acclaimed “Hello Hope” application, recommended by 98% of users, the “Learn Turkish” and “Voice Translation” features helping learn Turkish and meet communication needs are the most preferred. While audible learning cards in the “Learn Turkish” section have been viewed 72 million times, “Voice Translation” which instantly translates the spoken voice has been used 1.5 million times.

Everything from Voice Translation to Arabic Call Center in one application

With the “Learn Turkish” feature of the Hello Hope application, the most commonly used words and phrases, enriched with visual elements from daily life, their pronounciation and Arabic meanings can be accessed. Along with the ability to measure learning level with mini tests, previously used sentences can be rapidly accessed using the smart search feature. One of the most widely used features of the application, “Voice Translation”, translates the spoken word instantly in both audio and text from Arabic to Turkish, and Turkish to Arabic.

In the “Useful Information” feature of the application, important information regarding official procedures, education, travel, accomodation and support services required during daily life in Turkey can be accessed with ease. With “Around Me”, important places such as the nearest public institutions, hospitals, pharmacies, banks, mosques, police stations, bus stops to the user are listed with name, address and distance, and map directions given. It is possible to access Turkcell’s Arabic Call Center with a single click on the application.

Syrians visiting Turkcell stores are informed that the “Hello Hope” application is free and available to users of all operators, the features of the application explained, and application downloaded to smart phones. The application, which does not require any subscription, is also available for download on the Apple AppStore and Google Play Store.