Latest news with #CellBroadcastAlertSystem
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Govt Tests Emergency Alert System On Phones: What Is Cell Broadcast And Why It Matters
The Department of Telecom on Saturday sent a pan-India emergency alert on mobile phones. The popup alert, received by smartphone users, contains a test message that informs the users about the government's initiative. The text of the message said, "Test Alert, It is a 'test cell broadcast' message and requires no action from the recipient." The message is dated 28/06/2025 #900. 'Android users can disable these alerts by navigating to 'Settings' > 'Security & emergency' > 'Wireless emergency alerts' and turning off 'Test alerts'. iOS users can disable these alerts by going to 'Settings' > 'Notifications' and scrolling down to turn off 'Test alerts'. The test message that surprised many users is the government's way to test the emergency cell broadcast technology developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). Why does the government send these messages? The primary purpose of the Cell Broadcast Alert System is to provide real-time alerts during emergencies, helping to save lives by spreading vital information quickly. This advanced technology is designed to notify people about major threats such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, or other disasters. Unlike regular text messages, cell broadcasts can be sent to all mobile phones within a specific geographical area, ensuring wide and immediate coverage without overwhelming telecom networks. Government authorities and emergency services use this system to issue warnings and share crucial updates with the public. By delivering timely instructions, such as evacuation notices or safety precautions, the Cell Broadcast Alert System plays a critical role in disaster management and public safety, helping citizens act swiftly during high-risk situations.
India Today
09-05-2025
- India Today
India-Pak conflict: Govt may send you alert on phone, don't get alarmed because here is what it will mean
We do not know if there will be a wider war between India and Pakistan, but the government wants the country to be ready for any eventuality. Hence the civil defence mock drills, which are going across the country in various districts. As part of the country's readiness to deal with emergency situations, the Indian government is also likely to re-test the Cell Broadcast Alert System. The system was put in place a few years ago and in the past its readiness has been checked through a few mock emergency the alert arrives, it makes the phone scream rather loudly with a sharp alarm tone and a flashing message. At least that is what we saw in the late 2023 and then in 2024 when India tested the system in select regions. The system has been created to send emergency messages in case of disasters, although it is possible that the government would, if required, use it in case of war and regional to the Indian government, 'the Cell Broadcast Alert System is a state-of-the-art technology that allows us to send critical and time-sensitive messages for disaster management to all mobile devices within a designated geographical area, irrespective of whether the recipients are residents or visitors.' The system has been implemented in collaboration with telecom companies like Airtel and Jio. 'It is used by government agencies and emergency services to inform the public about potential threats and keep them informed during critical situations,' explained a note issued by the government in 2023. Here is what the emergency alert may look like advertisementIf the alerts are part of the mock drill, phone users will see the notification that specifies the mock drill part. In these instances, users will not be required to take any action. When the government tested the system earlier, it had noted, 'During the testing period, people may receive simulated emergency alerts on their mobile devices Each test alert will be clearly indicated that it is a Test Message to avoid confusion.'How to set your phone to not miss the alertAlthough India's Cell Broadcast Alert System is designed to perform irrespective of what settings you have in your phone, just to be on the safe side, you can also switch on a few case you have an Android phone, you should take following steps:— Open Settings— Scroll down to Safety and Emergency— Tap on Wireless Emergency Alerts— Turn on all available alert optionsOn the iPhone, you can do the following:— Go to Settings— Tap on Notifications— Scroll to the bottom and look for Government Alerts— Enable the Test Alerts toggleTune In
