The nationwide warning day is scheduled for December 8th. Then the mobile network operators want to test the new cell broadcast system as planned in the summer. Mobile phone customers are currently being informed via SMS about the upcoming warning day.
As a result of the flood disaster in July 2021, it was decided that the network operators should introduce cell broadcast as a warning system. The system aims to reach as many people as possible in the event of disasters such as floods, storms, fires and earthquakes.
Therefore, the first official test run is planned for next month, during which Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2 want to send a warning message to all mobile phone users in Germany. The date for the nationwide warning day is December 8th at around 11 a.m., this will be carried out in all 294 districts and 107 urban districts.
Network operators inform in advance by SMS
The three major network operators are currently sending SMS to their customers to inform them in advance of the warning day so that there are no nasty surprises or incorrect assessments of the message sent on the due date. The editors have received a corresponding notice from Telefónica/O2.
SMS note for warning day on December 8Cell Broadcast reaches almost everyone
However, cell broadcast systems are not SMS, in which messages are sent to specific numbers. Instead, all devices that are registered in the radio cells of a specific region receive the message – similar to radio. The solution is therefore considered data protection compliant, since no personal data has to be recorded.
Another advantage of Cell Broadcast is that the technology works even when the network is heavily loaded and there is no data connection. In addition, no app is required as with other warning solutions. The users themselves do not have to take action in advance.
Cell Broadcast only requires compatible smartphones. According to Vodafone, iOS is the latest available version for all devices starting with the iPhone 6s. Android is compatible from version 11 upwards.
Test run on warning day
With the On the nationwide warning day on December 8th, an intensive operational test phase of the new warning channel Cell Broadcast is to begin in Germany, explains the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. However, the introduction is not yet complete. The test phase is used to successively expand the “necessary applications and technical facilities for the use of cell broadcast”. The system is to be finally activated after the test phase, which is scheduled to run until the end of February 2023.
Vodafone is confident that the implementation will succeed. Successful test runs were carried out in August.