{"id":34010,"date":"2023-03-20T14:05:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T14:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/?p=34010"},"modified":"2023-03-20T14:05:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T14:05:47","slug":"mobile-operators-to-test-uk-wide-emergency-alerts-on-23rd-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispreview.co.uk\/index.php\/2023\/03\/mobile-operators-to-test-uk-wide-emergency-alerts-on-23rd-april.html","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Operators to Test UK Wide Emergency Alerts on 23rd April"},"content":{"rendered":"

The government and mobile operators have officially started activating the new UK-wide Emergency Alerts service, which has been designed to warn mobile users if there’s a “danger to life nearby<\/em>” (e.g. severe flooding, fires and extreme weather). But it will only work on modern 4G<\/a> and 5G<\/a> Smartphones.<\/p>\n

The Emergency Alerts<\/strong> system is similar to one that other countries have already adopted and aims to transform the UK\u2019s warning and informing capability; providing a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90% of mobile phones in a defined area and offering clear instructions about how best to respond.<\/p>\n

NOTE:<\/strong> Emergency alerts will be sent in English. In Wales, they may also be sent in Welsh. You will not get alerts if your device is turned off or in aeroplane mode.<\/div>\n

A number of live tests have already taken place across parts of the country, such as East Suffolk<\/strong> and Reading<\/strong>. But the government also intends to conduct a full UK-wide test on the afternoon of Sunday 23rd April 2023<\/strong>. So don’t be surprised if there’s a “loud siren-like sound<\/em>” that lasts for up to 10 seconds from your mobile on that day.<\/p>\n

Expected Text of the 23rd April Test<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there\u2019s a life-threatening emergency nearby.<\/p>\n

In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.<\/p>\n

Visit gov.uk\/alerts for more information.<\/p>\n

This is a test. You do not need to take any action.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The “initial use<\/em>” of the new system will only focus on the most serious weather-related incidents, including severe flooding in England. The alerts themselves, which will be broadcast from cell towers in the vicinity of an emergency, will only ever come from the Government or emergency services. Such alerts are a free one-way secure communication and do NOT reveal anyone\u2019s location or collect personal data.<\/p>\n

Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Mark Hardingham, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Together with every fire and rescue service in the country, I\u2019m looking forward to having Emergency Alerts available to help us to do our jobs and to help communities in the event of emergencies.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen this type of system in action elsewhere across the world and we look forward to having the facility here in the UK – by working together with fire services and partners we want this system to help us to help you be as safe as you can if a crisis does hit.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The only catch is that you’ll need a modern 4G<\/a> or 5G<\/a> Smartphone in order to receive the alerts, such as an Apple iPhone running iOS 14.5 <\/strong>or later, or an Android phone or tablet running Android 11<\/strong> or later. If you have an earlier version of Android, you may still be able to receive alerts, but experiences may vary (search your settings for “emergency alerts<\/em>“).<\/p>\n