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Canada plays catchup as wireless providers create emergency alerts for cellphones

Source(s): CBC/Radio-Canada
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By David Burke

A new emergency alert system that transmits messages directly to cellphones, whether people want the alerts or not, is in the works for Canada.

The alerts would be transmitted to cellphone users regardless of their wireless providers. A similar system has been in place in the United States for years.

Once a message is sent out, it would be received by every cellphone in a geographic area, said Marc Choma, spokesman for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.   

The association represents wireless service providers and businesses that develop products for the wireless industry. 

The emergency messages would be used to alert Canadians to serious concerns like dangerous storms and possible terror threats. 

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Themes Early warning Data and information management Advocacy and media Disaster risk management
Country and region Canada
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