SMS is so outdated. They should employ a system like the USA's Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). It's part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) managed by FEMA. WEA sends emergency alerts to smartphones in a specific geographic area using cell broadcast technology. These alerts can include details about severe weather, AMBER alerts, or other critical emergencies, and they override silent mode to ensure they're noticed.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) don't use SMS because SMS technology has certain limitations that could delay or compromise the effectiveness of emergency alerts. Here are a few reasons why WEA is preferred:
1. Speed and Reach: WEA uses cell broadcast technology, which sends messages to all compatible devices in a specific geographic area almost instantly. SMS, on the other hand, sends messages individually to each recipient, which could cause delays, especially during high-demand situations.
2. Location Precision: WEA targets devices within a defined area, regardless of their phone numbers or carriers. SMS would require knowing and selecting specific phone numbers, which isn't practical for dynamic or geographically focused emergencies.
3. Reliability: During emergencies, cellular networks can become congested. SMS relies on the same infrastructure as voice and data, so it may fail or slow down. Cell broadcast used by WEA is more robust in such scenarios.
4. No Subscription Needed: WEA doesn’t require users to sign up or provide their phone numbers, ensuring everyone with a compatible device in the alert zone receives the message. SMS, by contrast, would require a list of recipients.
WEA's design prioritizes speed, precision, and accessibility—key factors in life-saving emergency communications. It's all about ensuring critical information gets to the right people at the right time!