How Austria warns of future disasters

Assuming you are in a place threatened by flooding: In the future, you may receive a notification on your mobile phone warning you about this and even giving you tips on how to proceed. The message should look like an SMS. This should be possible in the future through what is called “cellular broadcast“Technology (CB). In a particular stricken area, you can use it All cell phone users Receive warning messages whether they are from local residents or visitors from abroad.

Warnings across Europe

In 2019, the then Ministry of Infrastructure (BMVIT) announced the CB . system Desire to build. Austria should be based on the EU directive adopted in 2018. It sees the development of a European-wide CB system called “EU alert“Until June 2022. The Netherlands has been running such a warning system since 2012. Italy, Lithuania, Greece and Romania have an alert system. Germany initially has an exception for EU alert it’s the truth. In view of the current flood disaster, the neighboring country wants But now we also offer CB. And Austria? We are working on it here.

The telecommunications agendas have now been transferred to the Department of Agriculture (BMLRT). Together with disaster control, mobile operators and research institutions, the framework conditions for the domestic CB system are currently being defined, which in the future, according to the EU nomenclature, “AUT alert“It can be called. “CB technology is not new in itself, but its practical application is a challenge,” says Robert Stocker, department chair. Crisis and disaster management in the Ministry of the Interior.

Biggest Obstacles

From cell phone circuits it is said that networks Basically ready for CB He is. any cellular standard From 2G to 5G View opportunity. What is still missing are interfaces and control systems. This is a big obstacle Legal uncertainty. Are incoming mobile spam covered by prohibited advertising SMS? The new Communications Act aims to increase clarity here. It was supposed to be decided in 2020, but it’s still not ready.

It is also questionable for the mobile operator whether Cell phones and smart phones To receive warning messages via CB prepared be. says Christian Resch, Managing Director of Disaster Efficiency Network Austria.

The research network is about to complete a development project for the introduction of CB in Austria. DCNA is dedicated to this Social sciences and organizational issues, such as: What message should be received on mobile phones? Or: Who will hit the submit button at the end? Rich: “Something like that is not an ordinary question. In federal states like Austria, it is very important that they stand on solid foundations.

Confirmation is necessary or not

such as the European Emergency Numbers Organization (EENA). describe in a reportCB يقدم presents Variety of delivery options. In principle, CB is a “push” service. Messages are sent to all cell phones in the specified radio cells. However, you cannot reply to messages, which is why you must submit a phone number or website link for inquiries. But there is also the “interactive cellular broadcast” variant, which allows answers, but not all peripherals are suitable for this.

In addition, it is possible to specify whether or not users can deactivate CB messages in advance. It can also specify whether messages can simply be ignored or whether they can be sent first You must confirmbefore you can do anything else on your phone.

Tests in the Netherlands showed that 90% of the population With CB . warnings can be achieved. It has proven to be a valuable tool in disaster control. Even with overloaded cellular networks, the max comes Long messages 1,395 characters via.

Expand the range of channels

SMS alert messages will be used for disaster control other channel in existing pallet. Established channels such as sirens, radio alarms, or KATWARN APPLICATION Stalker explains that it should not be replaced with this. It is still unclear when exactly CB will be introduced in Austria and whether it will be operational by June 2022.