No More Emergency Alerts on Phones! NDMA Halts Cell Broadcast Service

New Delhi: The government has temporarily suspended the system that sends sudden message alerts to mobile phones. The Cell Broadcast Service, which was officially launched in May, has been put on hold. Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority provided this information on Saturday, according to an ANI report.

In an advisory, the authority stated that this decision was taken as a precautionary measure and will remain in effect until further notice. Under the Cell Broadcast Service, a message accompanied by a loud sound would flash on everyone’s smartphones.

What is the Cell Broadcast Service?
The Cell Broadcast Service was used to send alerts to the Indian public. This system enables the immediate transmission of emergency alerts and disaster-related information, allowing people to take safety measures. Recently, the authority used cell broadcasting to send alerts regarding the severe storms, high-speed winds, and hailstorms that hit several areas in North India.

Why was the Cell Broadcast Service suspended?
NDMA officials have not disclosed the specific reason for suspending the service. However, there are indications that a review of the necessary technical aspects and processes may be conducted in collaboration with relevant agencies. The Cell Broadcast Service delivers real-time alerts to users, differing significantly from standard SMS services; the alert system does not rely on mobile network or internet connectivity.

Launched in early May
The Cell Broadcast System was rolled out in early May. The government has already used it to send alerts to many people. It was designed to alert Indian citizens during disasters and emergencies. It can also be used to send alerts regarding changing weather conditions.

Developed jointly by government agencies
The Cell Broadcast System was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications, the NDMA, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. This system is used to send emergency alerts to mobile users located within a specific geographical area.

Message flashes on screen with a loud sound
Under the Cell Broadcast Alert System, a high-priority pop-up notification appears on the screen. A loud sound plays as the message flashes. On some devices, the message is even read aloud.

Is this system different from the SMS service?
The Cell Broadcast Alert System is significantly different from traditional SMS alert systems. SMS services have several limitations and rely on mobile signals; they often experience delays during periods of heavy network traffic.