Source: Beehive Media Release
The implementation of a new nationwide channel for sending alerts about emergencies to mobile phones is on track to be up and running by the end of the year.
Cell broadcast alerting is a new way of sending information to mobile phones in a set area without people needing to download an app or subscribe to a service.
The alerts will appear similar to text messages. They are received automatically and for free by all cell broadcast enabled mobile phones in the area,” former Civil Defence Minister Mr Brownlee said.
“Discussions with New Zealand’s major telecommunications companies are progressing well and we expect to have contracts signed in the coming weeks.
“Once the cell broadcast alerting system is up and running, an alert will be sent out to mobile phones through the cell towers in the affected areas in the event of an emergency.
“As no technology is 100 per cent failsafe or equally useful in all conditions and emergencies, multiple channels will continue to be used to send alerts when emergencies happen.
“These channels include radio, television, websites, various social media, smartphone apps, sirens and others.”
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