Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has recently announced that it will offer wireless and wireline calling services alike to Indonesia from the US for free, supporting those whose family and friends are victims of the recent 6.4-magnitude earthquake.

“More than 160,000 Verizon employees worldwide want to support our friends and family in Indonesia who have been impacted by the massive 6.4 earthquake,” revealed the company in its press release.

Free Services

Home wireline telephone subscribers in the US can call their family and friends in Indonesia for free from Wednesday until Friday. These calls will only incur taxes and surcharges.

Meanwhile, wireless subscribers in the US can text or call their family and friends in Indonesia for free during the same period. Similarly, taxes and surcharges on these texts and calls will apply.

The efforts of Verizon Communications reflect only a part of the broader role of technology and telecommunications companies in bringing people together, especially during tragic events like these.

Earthquake Repercussions

The massive earthquake hit Indonesia on Wednesday morning.

According to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency of Indonesia, as of early Thursday, at least 102 missing people have already been found or declared dead; and 136 people have been injured.

Several residential and commercial infrastructures have also been destroyed by the earthquake.

The government and its partner entities are now strongly focused on facilitating a fast and efficient search-and-rescue mission in an attempt to minimize the number of casualties.

Although no tsunami warnings have been issued, many residents still fled away from shorelines to ensure their safety. Accordingly, this precautionary move stems from the massive earthquake and tsunami in 2004, which had resulted to more than 80,000 casualties and millions of homeless residents.

This is already the second earthquake in Indonesia this year. However, it is by far the most severe one. Earlier this year, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake had hit the country but no casualties had been reported.

Fatal earthquakes like these are not new in Indonesia as it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a set of fault lines surrounding the Pacific Basin.

Verizon Communications has closed at $51.38 on Wednesday.