The FCC updated its rules to enable alert originators to transmit silent Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Officials say these can better protect the public in some situations and reduce “alert fatigue,” which can cause consumers to opt out of the service.
Wireless Emergency Alerts are used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on compatible cell phones and other mobile devices. To grab consumers’ attention, these alerts are accompanied by a distinctive sound and vibration.
In some situations, such as during an active shooting, the loud “attention signal” may put a consumer in greater danger. To address this issue, the FCC will require wireless providers that participate in WEA to enable alert originators to send alerts that do not trigger the audio attention signal, vibration cadence, or both. At the same time, to ensure accessibility, consumers will have the option to override suppression of the vibration cadence so that they can continue to be notified of alerts this way.
The action also promotes informed consumer choice by requiring devices marketed as “WEA-capable” to support all the required Wireless Emergency Alerts capabilities, including device-based geotargeting, 360-character alerts, embedded references, and silent alerts—not just a subset of these capabilities that varies by device or provider.
In addition, in an accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission will seek comment on additional ways to reduce the number of consumers opting out of Wireless Emergency Alerts, including by providing the public with greater flexibility in how the alerts are presented on their phones.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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