[Infowarrior] - Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved

[Richard Forno]

Does anyone know if customers, not carriers, can chose whether or not to
receive some or all of these messages?  --rf


April 10, 2008
Text Alerts to Cellphones in Emergency Are Approved
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/washington/10alert.html?pagewanted=print

WASHINGTON (AP) ‹ Federal regulators approved a plan on Wednesday to create
a nationwide emergency alert system using text messages delivered to
cellphones.

Text messages have exploded in popularity, particularly among young people.
The trade group for the wireless industry, CTIA, estimates more than 48
billion text messages are sent each month.

The plan stems from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006
federal law that requires upgrades to the emergency alert system. The act
requires the Federal Communications Commission to develop ways to alert the
public about emergencies.

³The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through
cellphones and other mobile services is an important next step in our
efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they
need to take action to protect themselves and their families prior to, and
during, disasters and other emergencies,² the commission chairman, Kevin J.
Martin, said after the plan was approved.

Carriers¹ participation in the system, which has strong support from the
industry, is voluntary.

Cellphone customers would be able to opt out of the program. They also may
not be charged for receiving alerts.

There would be three types of messages, according to the rules.

The first would be a national alert from the president, probably involving a
terrorist attack or natural disaster.

The second would involve ³imminent threats² that could include natural
disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes or university shootings.

The third would be reserved for child abductions, so-called Amber alerts.

The alerts would be delivered with a unique audio signature or ²vibration
cadence.²

The service could be in place by 2010.