Canada is set to implement the upcoming Alert Ready emergency alert system starting April 6, 2018, and leading up to the launch, wireless carriers have started texting customers about the upcoming service.
Bell started texting customers yesterday to say “As of April 6, compatible devices will receive emergency alerts from the government Alert Ready service. Alerts notify you of possible life-threatening situation that need immediate attention. For more info and compatible devices, visit bell.ca/alertready.”
Telus started to text customers information too, as today many received messages which noted “As of April 6, 2018, Canada’s alert service will be available to compatible mobile devices. Alert ready will broadcast emergency alerts to inform you of critical or potentially life-threatening situations that require immediate attention to keep you and your family safe. To learn more about the Alert Ready service and what devices are supported, visit telus.com/alertready.”
As for Rogers, a company spokesperson told iPhone in Canada they will “begin informing customers this week.”
Rogers provided a list of current compatible devices:
According to the AlertReady.ca website, the system “Starting April 6th, in addition to TV and Radio, Alert Ready will be sending life-threatening emergency alerts to cell phones and wireless devices that are compatible with Wireless Public Alerting (WPA).”
Three requirements must be met for your device to receive these alerts:
The Alert Ready system, when it expands to wireless devices, will not allow users to opt out, as it’s a government mandated program. The system is geo-targeted and can send wireless alerts to a specific area of LTE coverage.
While alerts may look like text messages, they are not, but will show up on your wireless device in the form of a push notification, sent using Cell Broadcast distribution, which transmits a one-way alert to compatible devices in a specific area.
Last year, on April 6, 2017, the CRTC mandated all wireless carriers in Canada to support the Alert Ready system, and provided a one year window to implement it. Former CRTC Chairman, Jean-Pierre Blais, said at the time, “The National Public Alerting System is vital to Canadians, it has saved countless lives, including those of children through Amber Alerts. Once the system is in place, an even greater number of Canadians will receive alerts on their mobile phones and will be able to take appropriate safety measures.”
Did you receive a text notifying you of the upcoming Alert Ready system?
Thanks Joe, Josh!
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No.
“[…] are compatible with Wireless Pubic
Alerting…”
Nice! So now I can be alerted on my phone when I need to
shave? That’s soooo cool!
Updated!
No I didn’t receive any such alert from Rogers nor Telus
I hope they alert me when Mr. Dressup is in town! hahaha
Ha ha. I didn’t get a text message from Telus. I can certainly assume it’s not going to do what it’s supposed to do especially if they can’t send out an SMS broadcast.
I like the idea of it. I drove to Chicago and the my phone told me there was going to be flooding. I hope the system is similar to the USA’s
I dont want those intrusive alerts. I already have enough messages from my carrier. I read the news, I have push notifications turned on on my favorite news app, I don’t need more than that.
But what if a ballistic missile is incoming? 😛
Or more reasonably a Tsunami alert at 3 AM while you are vacationing in Tofino.
You don’t want to know if there is a tornado about to hit your area? No news app is giving you that information quickly.
i would like to suggest that someone right something for me to download so i can turn this off…
I got the alert from Freedom Mobile earlier this afternoon.
Do you think these communication companies are in cahoots with the government that is planning a world war????
im going to sue if you cant opted out. the tv one is so anoying