The FCC is currently discussing a new plan for a system that will allow cell phones or other mobile devices to receive text messages during emergencies.

A FCC Representative provided CNN.com that the cell phone companies would be able to volunteer to support this system on their phones. The service would deliver alert messages to subscribers in in response to 3 types of events.

A disaster that could jeopardize the health and safety of Americans, such as a terrorist attack; these would trigger a national alert from the president of the United States

Imminent or ongoing threats such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes

Child abductions or Amber alerts.

T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint Nextel and AT&T all stated that they would be likely to opt into the alert system if it is passed by the FCC.

The messages would be created by a yet to be named agency that would send the messages to service providers. The messages would then be sent to subscribers of the service. Customers could also opt out of the plan if they don’t want to receive any alert messages.

It hasn’t however been stated just how many messages a person could expect to receive on a normal day. To many alerts could become annoying and cause many people to block the alerts, yet at the same time, who’s to decide whats important enough to alert the public with.

SOURCE: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/09/fcc.cell.phone.alert/

Technorati Tags: Text Message, Phone, Cell Phones, Alerts