Home › News ›

FCC Approves Nationwide Mobile Alert System

Apr 9, 2008, 3:01 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Apr 10, 2008, 1:06 PM

The Federal Communications Commission approved a new, national alert system that would send text messages to Americans during emergencies. The three events that would trigger the text message alerts are a disaster or attack that could injure Americans or threaten their health; natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes; or Amber alerts or child abductions. The messages will be created by a government agency that has yet to be formed. The network operators have to opt into the system once it is created, and will have 10 months to meet the technical requirements of the system. So far AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless all said they would participate. End-users can also choose to opt in or out. Subscribers will not be charged for messages sent through the alert system, which will not be operational until 2010.

CNN »
Wireless Week »

Related

iPhone 14 Plus Offers a Big Screen For Less

Sep 7, 2022
Apple has revealed the iPhone 14 series, with new features, improved specs, and new size options. In place of a Mini option, the iPhone 14 will come in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen size options as the Pro models.

Major Update to Google Messages Brings iPhone-Compatible Emoji Reactions

Mar 10, 2022
Google today started rolling out a major update to its Messages app, the default SMS and RCS messaging app on most new Android phones. It includes several major new features, but the biggest for most people may be automatic conversion and tidier display of emoji reactions from iPhone users .

Google Overhauls Android's Parental Controls

Oct 18, 2022
Google is revamping Family Link, the system-wide parental controls for a child's Android device. The biggest new feature is the ability to create temporary "Today Only" screen-time settings that override the usual daily settings.

Google Messages Gains 2-Way Reactions with iPhones

Oct 21, 2022
Google has announced a variety of new features for Messages, its messaging app for Android based on the RCS industry standard. In addition to correctly displaying certain emoji reactions from iPhone users over SMS, Messages will now let you send reactions to SMS messages sent by iPhone users, and display them correctly on the Android side.

Verizon, AT&T Moving Forward with C-Band 5G Launch This Week Over FAA Objection

Jan 2, 2022
Verizon and AT&T this morning refused a request by federal transportation officials to delay this week's planned launch of 5G service in the critical new C Band. [Update: By evening, the two companies agreed to a two-week delay.] The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) insists that the service could potentially interfere with radio altimeters that planes use to measure distance to the ground in poor weather.

Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

ajstrong

Apr 9, 2008, 4:14 PM

would standard txt msg fees still apply

AND would those that have a texting block get the alerts either way? If it's a national emergency that could threaten health of individuals, it would be quite interesting to see just how connected the american people is to their cell phones.

DoubleHelix

ajstrong said:
AND would those that have a texting block get the alerts either way? If it's a national emergency that could threaten health of individuals, it would be quite interesting to see just how connected the american peopl

...
(continues)

mattb2305

From what I understand about the switch operating system for most major networks, blocking text is an all or nothing deal. If you have an admin txt block thru the switch, nothing is coming thru to your phone, emergency or not. You would need a pay p...
(continues)

...

Roadkill

"Subscribers will not be charged for messages sent through the alert system, which will not be operational until 2010."

Amber alerts are already available on the major carriers, though I don't remember for sure whether or not they're free. I th ...
(continues)

Page 1 of 1