New alert system tested as 2.6 million phones sound at once
Translated from Swedish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
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- Sweden is testing its new SE-Alert warning system for the first time in Stockholm and Gotland counties.
- The system uses cell broadcast technology to send loud alerts, vibrations and messages to phones in a defined geographic area, even without an internet connection.
- The test will take place alongside Sweden’s regular outdoor alarm system, Hesa Fredrik.
At 3 p.m., 2.6 million mobile phones in Stockholm and Gotland counties will sound and vibrate simultaneously as Sweden tests its new public warning system.
The test marks the first trial of SE-Alert, a system based on cell broadcast technology. Unlike alerts that depend on an internet connection, the system can reach mobile phones without internet access.
When authorities send a public warning message, phones in the designated geographic area will play a loud signal, vibrate and display the message on their screens. The Swedish Agency for Civil Contingencies is holding a press briefing ahead of the test.
Sweden’s familiar outdoor warning signal, Hesa Fredrik, sounds across the country four times a year. The new mobile alert will be tested for the first time alongside that established system.
About this summary
Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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