Emergency Phone Alert Test
Just a reminder that all 4G/5G network connected phones will receive a test emergency phone alert today at 3.00pm. It might not work on some older versions of software More details here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65177316
David
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I have nothing against this system but wonder what emergency is ever likely to hit the UK at short notice that will require it to be used?
Having spent a lot of time in NZ where earthquakes, tsunamis and tropical storms are not uncommon I can see why they might need such a system.
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Perhaps a tidal surge, Thames barrier failing to close properly. A few years ago there was that dam that was potentially going to fail, perhaps for things like that. I’m sure folk can think of others. The good thing about it is that it can be used in quite small areas, not just nationwide, as in this test.
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We're all looking forward to it here. some of the family will be at a shopping mall so it will be interesting to see what happens there when everyone's phone goes off.
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I am old enough to remember them testing sirens after the last war! Given that technology and the way we communicate has changed out of all recognition since then, it seems a sensible move to me. In January 1953 207 people lost their lives when they had the storm surge in Norfolk. Fast forward to now many of those people would have had phones so early warning could possibly mean that lives could be saved?
David
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Hopefully others with devices will alert them. Plus I assume this will just be in addition to TV and radio in a real emergency. Since we have had a smart phone(s) , about 10 years, they have never been off. Except of course in places where you are required to turn them off, not just mute. Means we can get texts / WhatsApps from family members, home and abroad.
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Yep, I too always keep my phone turned on when possible and always connected to wifi or 4g/5g. It makes sense to me as it’s what the phone’s for🤷🏻♂️
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I think when mobile phones were just phones we tended to do the same, although that was a long time ago now. We still prefer the landline phone at home even now. We initially got mobile phones for when we were away in the van or out for the day. However since we have had Smart Phones they are on all the time as we use them for so much else. In fact making phone calls is the least that they are used for!
David
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Just out of interest I was driving at the time and the phone connects automatically through bluetooth and after the funny sounding alarm the message was read out to me!
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That’s interesting to know Corners. There was advice telling folks to ignore looking at phone if driving, or doing something else where it might be a danger. Good to know if you have a vehicle Bluetooth link it works, and what happens.
We were away on holiday during the Summer of 2007, when our home area had terrific flooding, and there was danger of a reservoir wall collapsing. BIL was briefly evacuated from his home, which would have taken a direct hit had that dam wall collapsed. Our horse was evacuated from his grazing field below it as well. We knew nothing about all this, as we were 400 miles away in Cornwall, with no TV. A friend on next pitch with a satellite link told us what was going on. We merely phoned home to check on things, but it just goes to show how the unexpected can impact you, particularly at a local level.
I am sure the conspiracy theorists will be besides themselves as well today🤣 One interesting snippet was that Rees Mogg owns a phone. 🤣🤣
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I had my phone on, ring tone loud and was in the house. Heard nothing. Checked phone soon after 3pm. Alert message before anything else, had to click OK to clear it.
I hope it reached where it should, OH's phone, older may not be 4g? Got nothing.
I hope those who have hidden phones, have managed to keep there existence safe and have got them back on.
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1953 floods, claimed lots of lives and caused devastation along the Essex coast. Started in the northwest, came over Scotland and down the east coast. If only fast communication was available and used i wonder if the deaths would be as great? The harrowing memories?
Essex Record Office holds first hand accounts of those affected. I'll never forget one account of a young boy rocking the baby's pram. He thought his rocking had calmed her, only to find the pram was flooded and she had gone to sleep forever 🥲🥲
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Worked on both our iPhones, sounded about 10 seconds earlier on O2 one than EE. The volume would certainly make you take notice if you weren’t expecting it. I believe it doesn’t matter what volume your phone is set on. I’m wondering wether they were trialing different formats in different areas, as some friends had the message read out after an initial alarm.
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As this was a test, it worked on both our Android phones, it did give you the option to opt out of future alerts if you wanted.
David
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It didn’t work on the Three network Mikey. Not sure why not, but as it’s a test, then these things are thrown up. Gov.com has information on Huawei phones as well, you might want to read. For some reason it won’t let me copy the link. Might be because it has “Huawei” in the link😎
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Interesting thing yesterday, every single person on site had turned the alert off so I wouldn't have a clue what it sounds like.
JK
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