For the first time, the government will be testing a new emergency alert system for mobile phone users in the UK. Happening later this month, the emergency alert test time has now been confirmed.
It feels as if it’s straight out of an action movie. But lots of countries already have the system in place for emergencies. Now it’s coming to the UK, the government will be testing the alert by contacting 90 per cent of mobile phone users in late April.
After telling you how to turn off the emergency alert, we can now tell you what time it will happen so you can be ready.
Time For UK Emergency Alert Test In 2023 Confirmed
We have known that the alert will happen on Sunday, April 23 for a while. Deciding what time it will happen has taken a little longer to work out.
Originally, it was believed it would occur in the evening. However, to avoid disruption to the FA Cup Semi-Final, when thousands of fans will be in Wembley Stadium, it was moved earlier. The morning needed to be avoided too. This was so it didn’t conflict with church services and the London Marathon which begins at 9:30 am.
There, it how now been decided that the emergency alert will occur at 3 pm BST to cause the least disruption.
The sound will last for ten seconds, with a message appearing on your phone screen. This will replicate how it will happen if and when it’s needed, but the notification will specify it’s a test on this occasion.
If your phone is turned off then you won’t receive it and your phone won’t make a sound. However, if it’s just on silent then your device will still make a sound. This is because all devices that enable 4G and 5G are fitted with the alert capability. Already, the system is in place in the US, Canada, Japan and other countries around the world.
Local trials of the system have already taken place where the government determined that it would not cause accidents. Safe for phones in the car, drivers were seen to pull over when safe instead of immediately checking their devices.
What Is The System For?
Oliver Dowden, the minister in charge of the system, said that the emergency alerts would largely be used for flood and wildfire warnings.
Messages will mostly be sent to localised areas where people need to evacuate and would not be used very often.
“You are not going to be spammed by the government with constant incoming messages. The bar for this is exceptionally high,” the minister told the BBC.
Should it be required, it can also be used for terror alerts or civil defence emergencies on a nationwide level.
If you do receive the message, you should follow the instructions given. You can dismiss the notification by selecting ‘okay.’
Plans In Place For Concealed Devices During Government’s Test
Concerns were raised by some, including the charity Refuge, about concealed devices held by those in domestic abuse relationships.
“These devices can be a lifeline for women who need to access support or flee their abuser,” Emma Pickering from Refuge said. The concern is the alert would notify an abuser and their safety would then be compromised.
The minister said that talks had been held with charity ahead of the test and concerns had been taken on board.