Reason for absence of UK emergency alert test on personal mobile device
On Sunday, September 7, at exactly 3pm, the UK conducted a test of its Emergency Alert system. The nationwide test, explained by Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as a vital tool for keeping the nation safe, was successfully executed on nearly every phone in the UK connected to 4G and 5G networks.
The Emergency Alert, a ten-second message, was designed to warn people about emergencies like storms or flooding. It utilises phone masts to signal all mobiles within their range, ensuring a widespread reach. However, older phones and any phone still connected to 2G or 3G networks did not receive the alert. Additionally, phones that were switched off or put on airplane mode also failed to sound the siren.
The test took place during two significant sporting events: England's cricket game against South Africa and the Super League derby between Hull KR and Hull FC. Both games paused to accommodate the Emergency Alert, demonstrating its potential impact on daily life.
Pat McFadden, in his statement, cited examples of Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, emphasising the system's effectiveness in providing life-saving advice to at-risk communities. He further compared the Emergency Alert system to a fire alarm in a home, designed to be used infrequently.
It's important to note that the Emergency Alert system is not designed to work for phones that are switched off or on airplane mode, or for phones that are outside the range of phone masts. Furthermore, the Emergency Alert message was a test, and anyone outside the UK at 3pm did not receive the message.
For instance, if you were in Germany during the test, you did not receive the UK emergency alert test on your smartphone. This is because such alerts are typically broadcast only within the specific country (UK) and require the device to be connected to a local mobile network or specific emergency alert systems that operate regionally. Germany uses different systems and does not relay UK emergency alert tests to phones registered in Germany.
In conclusion, the UK's Emergency Alert test was a successful demonstration of the country's commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens. While there are certain limitations to the system, its potential to provide crucial information during emergencies cannot be understated.
