As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC (News - Alert)) plan to upgrade America’s country wide alert system, federal regulators plan to introduce a system that will alert the nation’s public using text messages conveyed through cell phones. The system is expected to be operational by 2010.

 

In the wake of some recent disasters like Hurricane Katrina, tornadoes and college shootings, there is an increasingly urgent need for a simple and effective nationwide emergency alert system.

 

"The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones 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," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a AP report following approval of the plan.

 

The FCC will establish the technical standards needed for the system which will cater to the three common types of alerts namely - the national alert, the imminent threats and amber alerts.

 

The President normally issues national alerts during terrorist attacks or a natural disaster. Imminent threats like hurricanes and tornadoes or university shootings and amber alerts, are normally issued to warn the public of a crisis.

 

Utilizing the popularity of text messages, the system is expected to become an effective way of alerting the public should an emergency arise.

 

Subscription to the alert messaging system will be voluntary and subscribers may choose to opt out of the program. Carriers may also choose to stay out of the program. However if they decide to be part of the system, will need to comply with standards laid out by the FCC.

 

AT&T (News - Alert), Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon have all expressed their willingness to be part of the program, provided the FCC adopts an advisory committee’s guidance on how the system operates. Some of the recommendations include initially providing the alert messages in English and restricting the length to 90 characters. The FCC is expected to give its consent to these recommendations.