Sounds like some of ya'll are going off the reservation on this. So it's time to reel it back in with facts from the FEMA press release.
It sounds like brick phones will receive some kind of SMS alert. And the alert sent to smartphones will cause some sort of notification on the phone that may not be SMS.
In any event, it looks like they've got this well in hand and I'm looking to see this go off with out a hitch.
So at 2:20 pm it's gonna be chaos when everyones phone goes off at once. No word on whether the test will bypass existing settings which silence the phone.Quote:
Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. All wireless phones should receive the message only once.
.So it looks like we can expect another test on October 11th.Quote:
In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed, due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
Particularly on the national level. So we talking an emergency so critical it might affect the entire nation, and a message so critical that everyone needs to get it at the same time.Quote:
The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
The test is being channeled through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN). This sounds like a system that goes through the wireless provider. So whoever has the authority to issue a nationwide presidential alert, sends a message to the provider and the providers broadcast it to all users on their network.Quote:
The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.
It sounds like brick phones will receive some kind of SMS alert. And the alert sent to smartphones will cause some sort of notification on the phone that may not be SMS.
Key words being generally, initially and some devices.Quote:
Similar to when your phone receives an Amber Alert, the WEA alert tone is generally only played when the alert is initially received by the phone and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a button.
So they are saying if you want to opt out of participating in the test; turn off your phone off at 14:20 eastern and don't turn it back on for 30-minutes.Quote:
If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the phone should not get the test message.
Here they are telling the networks NOT to broadcast the emergency tone during coverage or promos or it could cause a disruption to the system.Quote:
Note to Broadcast Outlets:
Please do not include the tones or Attention Signals in broadcast TV or radio coverage about the Nationwide Emergency Alert Test being conducted on Oct. 4, 2023. Doing so could result in a violation of federal regulations, which prohibit the use of Emergency Alert System codes (which are audible tones) or the EAS and WEA Attention Signals, or simulations of them, except in actual emergencies, authorized tests of the EAS, or authorized Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
In any event, it looks like they've got this well in hand and I'm looking to see this go off with out a hitch.