Norway to test new mobile warning system on Wednesday
Phones across Norway will go off on Wednesday, June 14th as a new emergency alert system will be tested at the same time as warning sirens.
It will be the first time the Civil Defence Authority will test its new alarm system on a large scale. The test will take place between 11:55am and 12:10pm.
“The new Emergency Alert on mobile is a huge step for preparedness. Fast and secure communication about danger or crisis gives more security and has been an important priority for the Center Party and the Labour Party in government,” Justice, and Emergency Services Minister Emilie Engher Mehl said in an announcement.
The test will coincide with the sounding of more than 1,200 siren systems dotted around the country. The reason for the new alarm system, which will sound from other digital gadgets and not just mobile phones, is that 2.2 million people live in an area where a siren can't be heard.
When the alert does go off, a loud sound will play for ten seconds and the phone will vibrate. Text will also appear on the screen of mobiles.
The Directorate for Community Security and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) has asked the public to talk to their loved ones, including children and the elderly so that as many as possible will be aware that the alert is just a technical test and not a real warning.
Alerts will be sent to mobile phones located in Norway using a 4G or 5G network. Those on older mobiles without 4G or 5G capability will likely not receive the notification. Phones on silent or do not disturb modes will be overridden.
To not receive the notification, the phone will need to be on airplane mode or turned off. When the alert goes out, a siren-like sound will play, and a message will appear telling users that the notification is just a test.
The following devices will receive the test notification:
- Android phones with operating system Android 11 or later
- Smartwatches and phones that have Android GO are supported from Android 13 and later
- Apple phones that are iPhone 8 or later and which are updated with IOS 16.2 or later
- Apple Watch that is updated with watchOS 9.2 or later
- Smartwatches that use Wear OS (these include watches from Samsung, Google, Fossil and TicWatch)
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It will be the first time the Civil Defence Authority will test its new alarm system on a large scale. The test will take place between 11:55am and 12:10pm.
“The new Emergency Alert on mobile is a huge step for preparedness. Fast and secure communication about danger or crisis gives more security and has been an important priority for the Center Party and the Labour Party in government,” Justice, and Emergency Services Minister Emilie Engher Mehl said in an announcement.
The test will coincide with the sounding of more than 1,200 siren systems dotted around the country. The reason for the new alarm system, which will sound from other digital gadgets and not just mobile phones, is that 2.2 million people live in an area where a siren can't be heard.
When the alert does go off, a loud sound will play for ten seconds and the phone will vibrate. Text will also appear on the screen of mobiles.
The Directorate for Community Security and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) has asked the public to talk to their loved ones, including children and the elderly so that as many as possible will be aware that the alert is just a technical test and not a real warning.
Alerts will be sent to mobile phones located in Norway using a 4G or 5G network. Those on older mobiles without 4G or 5G capability will likely not receive the notification. Phones on silent or do not disturb modes will be overridden.
To not receive the notification, the phone will need to be on airplane mode or turned off. When the alert goes out, a siren-like sound will play, and a message will appear telling users that the notification is just a test.
The following devices will receive the test notification:
- Android phones with operating system Android 11 or later
- Smartwatches and phones that have Android GO are supported from Android 13 and later
- Apple phones that are iPhone 8 or later and which are updated with IOS 16.2 or later
- Apple Watch that is updated with watchOS 9.2 or later
- Smartwatches that use Wear OS (these include watches from Samsung, Google, Fossil and TicWatch)
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