Emergency Alerts May Come To Your Cell Phone
The FCC has approved a new nationwide alert system that will
send text messages to cell phones to alert Americans when
an emergency, disaster or attack occurs. The plan itself will
deliver three different types of charge-free text alerts to
mobile phone users.
The first would be a national alert from the president, likely
involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second
would involve "imminent threats," which could include
natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes or even university
shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction
emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.
The federal approval outlines network carriers are not obliged
to adopt the alert system, but it would appear that the wireless
industry in general is providing a good backbone of support
for the plan.
According to Kevin Martin, chairman of the FCC, the implementation
of a text-based alert system arrives as “an important
next step” in making sure the American public has all
the information it needs to take appropriate action to protect
itself during times of disaster or emergency.
(April 10, 2008)
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May 5, 2008
