SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- California residents have a new source for emergency bulletins and neighborhood alerts - delivered directly to their computers, wireless phones, PDAs and personal pagers.
SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) today announced the availability of The Secure Cops Alert Network, or SCAN, which is a new type of security technology for California consumers.
With this innovative service, local police departments and emergency organizations in California can deliver security and crime alerts directly to the computers, wireless phones, PDAs or personal pagers of the residents in the neighborhoods they protect. The first 12 months of a SCAN subscription are free afterward, subscribers pay $28 a year (about $2.33 a month). In addition, SBC customers qualify for a SCAN membership for a second year at no additional cost when they buy new SBC services through the SCAN Web site at www.scanusa.com.
"When communications matter most, our customers count on SBC services, so SCAN is a natural addition to our robust portfolio of innovative services and content," said Scott Helbing, senior vice president, SBC Consumer Marketing. "SCAN will be a great resource for those customers who want up-to-the-minute information on important events and news in their communities regardless of whether they're at home, work or on the road."
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Working as a neighborhood-based public warning system, SCAN allows subscribers to choose the types of alerts they wish to receive. Subscribers have several alert options to choose from, including neighborhood crime, weather, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, fire advisories, health emergencies, Amber Alerts and neighborhood public-safety information.
"Now millions of consumers throughout California have instant access to crime and safety alerts through their personal communications devices," said Lou Schwartz, president of SCANUSA. "With a renewed focus across the country on security and the reality of decreasing state and federal budgets, the SCAN program helps fill a void."
SCAN functions as a public-private partnership, allowing local police, fire and other public-safety officials to provide a higher level of protection to the community without the additional costs associated with installing new programs and hiring additional personnel.
"Law enforcement has long desired a method of communicating quickly and directly with their neighborhood residents," said Monty Holden, executive director of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS). "We believe that the SCAN program will play a major role in helping law enforcement protect local communities in the future."
California residents can sign up for the service by visiting www.scanusa.com.
SCAN plans to expand its offerings to include virus protection, hacker protection and spam blockers.
SCAN is delivered by SCAN USA, a wholly owned division of Sharp Holding Corporation (OTCBB:SHAR). The service is made possibly through an agreement with SBC Services Inc., a subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc.
SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 46 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.