The UK government conducted its second test of the national emergency alert system on Sunday, sending notifications to approximately 100 million smartphones across the country. The alert was transmitted at around 3pm and lasted about 10 seconds, reaching compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets nationwide.
Thousands of people did not receive the emergency alert during the test, highlighting potential gaps in the system's coverage. Some users also complained that the alert was delivered late, raising questions about the system's reliability during actual emergencies.
Technical requirements
The emergency alert system only works with devices connected to 4G and 5G networks, automatically excluding older 2G and 3G-only phones from receiving notifications. This technical limitation means that users with older mobile devices or those in areas with poor 4G/5G coverage will not receive emergency alerts.
People who keep their phones switched off, in airplane mode, or have no mobile signal will also miss emergency notifications. Additionally, devices that are not connected to a UK mobile network at the time of transmission will not receive the alerts.
Managing alert settings
Users can turn off emergency alerts through their device settings, though the government strongly advises against this action. On most smartphones, the option to disable emergency alerts can be found in the notification or emergency alert settings menu.
The system is designed as a life-saving communication tool for national emergencies, allowing authorities to send critical information directly to mobile devices during severe weather events, terrorist incidents, or other major threats. Despite the delivery issues experienced during testing, officials maintain that the alert system remains an essential part of the UK's emergency response infrastructure.
Sources used: "Liverpool Echo", "Chronicle Live", "Daily Mail", "Daily Star" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
