Nationwide Alert System Coming to Your Cell Phone

Don't be surprised if sometime soon you receive a text message from the government. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a new nationwide alert system that will send text messages to Americans' cell phones to alert of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and Amber Alerts.

With Americans owning 200 million cell phones, the FCC feels this is the best way to get emergency information to the public.

AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have all agreed to participate in the program. Other smaller, regional carriers are likely to participate as well.

In case of an emergency, your wireless provided would send you a text message alerting you of the emergency. There are three types of emergencies which could result in a text message: Presidential alerts (such as terrorist attacks), Imminent Threat Alerts (such as tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes), and Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts.

Thinking back to September 11, I wonder if an alert would have been issued in that type of situation? Probably not, since no one knew it was a terrorist attack until it was too late.

As someone who has experienced many tornado warnings, I know there can often be multiple sightings of tornados during a single storm. Does that mean I'll receive multiple text messages each time a new tornado is sighted? Will I be alerted to tornados that aren't even close to where I live? Many of these details have yet to be ironed out.

To some people, Amber Alerts may seem more annoying than necessary. But if my daughter was missing, I would appreciate that every Tom, Dick and Mary is out looking for her.

Cell phone users can opt out of receiving the text messages from the government. But do you really want to be the only person standing in the New York City Subway system while everyone else is evacuating the area?

My biggest concern about the emergency alerts is the threat of bogus alerts. Police say a fake Amber Alert text message was sent to cell phones in central and northern Vermont.

There definitely needs to be strict punishments established for anyone sending out fake text alerts, just as there are strict laws about making bomb threats. Otherwise mass hysteria could result from prank text messages warning of terrorist attacks.

John Breyault, of the Telecommunications Research Action Center, is concerned that the text messages will only be sent out in English. "With millions of Americans having English as their second language or not being able to speak English at all, if they receive one of these messages, they're not going to be able to read them, and that's a concern."

Am I the only one who is concerned about the fact that there are "millions" of Americans who can't read a simple text message written in English? I guess that's a subject for another article.

The FCC hopes to have the nationwide alert system up and running within the next two years.

Sources:
Federal Communications Commission Press Release April 9, 2008
kalb.com: VIDEO: Cell Phone Alerts, Chris Blalock
WFSB.com: Police: Cell Phone Kidnapping Alert Was Hoax