Image: Tony Webster/Flickr
On Thursday, the Federal Communication adopted new rules to bolster the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system, best known as that loud noise your phone makes when there's a flood in your general area. Launched in 2012, WEA got renewed attention, both positive and negative, with the less than stellar alert that was sent out after the Chelsea bombing in New York:WANTED: Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28-yr-old male. See media for pic. Call 9-1-1 if seen.The new rules were actually proposed last November, even though the timing makes it easy to think that they're a response to the widespread ridicule of the Chelsea alert. The modifications are as follows:
Advertisement
The maximum length has been increased from rom 90 characters to 360 (only for LTE and future networks)
"Participating wireless providers" must support the addition of embedded phone numbers and URLs, so you can just click to see a photo and/or call the police.
The same providers must send the alerts to more specific geographic areas, as the current implementation often leads to users getting largely irrelevant information.
Support for Spanish-language alerts.