Tens of millions of mobile phones in the United Kingdom received a test message as part of the government’s second nationwide public alert system trial.
The test was conducted on 4G and 5G connected phones around 3:00 PM on Sunday. The message explained that the system would be used in the future to warn citizens of life-threatening emergencies.
Following the test, the government clarified why some users may not have received the alert, including if the device:
- Had no signal
- Was in airplane mode
- Had emergency alert settings disabled
- Was not enabled for 4G or 5G
- Was completely switched off
Authorities had pre-warned the public to avoid unnecessary alarm.
“The test lasted only a few seconds, but it will help the government keep the country safe 24/7. The next time you hear the siren, it could be a real emergency, so stay calm and follow the instructions in the Emergency Alert,” the official statement said.
The alert system, designed for extreme weather, floods, and fires, was first tested in April 2023.
It has already been used to issue real warnings on five occasions, including:
- January, during Storm Eoëyn, alerting people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather
- February of the previous year, warning residents in Plymouth about a 500 kg unexploded World War II bomb found in a private backyard
