Cell broadcast technology has been in operation in Germany for 100 days, with authorities triggering the cell phone alarm 77 times in individual cities, districts or regions during this time. The technology, previously demonstrated in Paris in 1997, has been implemented in the entire mobile network of Vodafone in all 26,600 stations in the 294 administrative districts and 107 urban districts in Germany.
With cell broadcast, the population in affected areas can be alerted quickly and specifically by text message on mobile devices in case of storms, fires, earthquakes or floods. The system works like SMS and the signaling channels of the mobile network are used to transmit messages. Warning messages are sent by the antenna to all devices logged into the radio cell, and received by them if the technical requirements are met.
The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) revised the technical specifications for the system in 2021, ensuring that relevant warning messages can be received by as many mobile phones as possible, including older phones. After much criticism, the BNetzA added the three-digit message ID 919 to reach older phones. The new channel 919 will be introduced from November 2023, independently of the device manufacturers.
On average, an official alarm went out every 36 hours in parts of Germany, with Rhineland-Palatinate leading the local cell broadcast statistics with 20 events, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia with 17. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Bremen and Saarland, the system has not yet been introduced for use.
Compatibility with the system and readiness to receive are prerequisites for reception on mobile phones, smartphones, or tablets. However, not every mobile device automatically displays the notifications, and depending on the model, the user sometimes has to adjust the default settings.
The cell broadcast system conveys important warnings to the population in Germany, ensuring a quick response to natural disasters or unexpected attacks. With its reliable operation, the system provides an added layer of safety to the residents of Germany.
