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IPAWS National Test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on September 20, 2018. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed. The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to wireless providers participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016, and September 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA's National Preparedness Month.
[...] Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have a header that reads "Presidential Alert" and text that says:
"THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of the WEA test. If circumstances, such as a major weather event, cause the IPAWS National Test to be postponed, the back-up date is Wednesday, October 3, 2018.
Also at Engadget.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Saturday September 15 2018, @08:37PM (6 children)
what use is a hurricane alert for the east coast when you live on the west coast?
Does the system send messages to any mobile in an area, on any carrier, or are the network operators involved?
"You don't get warning smses unless you're spending at least $50 a month"...
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 1) by Acabatag on Saturday September 15 2018, @08:39PM (2 children)
My Boost Mobile plan is only $35. So I won't be getting this?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 16 2018, @03:31AM (1 child)
considering text messages are baked it into the carrier signals. yes you will.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Sunday September 16 2018, @04:54AM
I received an earlier Emergency Alert Test, and I got it despite the SIM being turned off ( Android ). I had it turned off because I was using the phone as an alarm clock, and I did not want some system update or some failed ad attempt to drain my phone battery overnight... as about once a week I don't seem to get my phone turned off enough and the battery is flat dead in the morning.
Helluva way to start the day with a dead battery inn the phone.
Now, I have two more phones, Androids, and they do not have sim cards. I am going to be very curious if THEY get the emergency broadcast. They are powered up, and are doing "tricorder" type stuff that I only am using the wifi for, without any links to the phone system.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Saturday September 15 2018, @09:59PM
Forgot to add "/sarcasm (hopefully)"
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 16 2018, @02:48AM
"what use is a hurricane alert for the east coast when you live on the west coast?"
-
Some people travel.
Some people are mentally capable of understanding that others may have needs which are different from their own.
Some people are stupid and myopic, like you.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday September 16 2018, @06:22AM
about a hundred miles off the coasts of Oregon and Washington.
The resulting tsunami is estimated to be one hundred forty feet high when it hits Aberdeen and Astoria.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]