THE exact time that every mobile in the UK will receive an emergency text with a loud siren has been revealed – it will be sent in a matter of hours.
The alert is part of the second test of the national emergency alert system.
GettyThe text will be sent out in a matter of hours[/caption]
Devices connected to 4G and 5G networks will receive the message at 3pm tomorrow.
The loud siren will last for up to ten seconds as part of a nationwide test.
Mobile phones are also expected to vibrate, while users will also be sent a message to make clear that the alert is just a drill.
It will assure the public that they “do not need to take any action” and include text both in English and Welsh.
Exact message you will receive
Mobile users can expect the message to say: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
“Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.
“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh.”
Last month, The Sun reported that the Government has also been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones.
Real warnings issued in recent years
This system has been used by the government to send out real warnings of five different occasions.
These include, the issuing of severe weather warnings both in January during Storm Eowyn in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in December as Storm Darragh raged on.
A 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb found in a Plymouth back garden also warranted a warning to roughly 50,000 phones last February.
While a further 15,000 devices were alerted during flooding in Cumbria in May 2024.
The system is specifically designed for use during emergencies that most likely to affect the UK, where warnings would also be transmitted via TV and radio.
The system is designed for use during the most likely emergencies to affect the UK and warnings would also be transmitted on television, radio and locally by knocking on doors.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster issues statement
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “On Sunday September 7, we will hold a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system to ensure it works when we need it most.
“It is a vital tool for keeping the nation safe when lives are on the line – and every minute matters.
“During Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn, as millions faced dangerous extreme weather, I saw first-hand how effective it was at getting life-saving advice to at-risk communities in an instant.
“We do not use the system often, but like the fire alarm in your home, it is always on standby should we need to act.”
In an earlier statement he added: “Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it.
“The alerts have the potential to save lives.”
How to save on your phone bill
BY Jamie Harris, Senior Technology and Science Reporter
NOT happy with your current mobile phone deal?
If you’re outside the minimum term of your contract then you won’t need to pay a cancellation fee – and you might be able to find a cheaper deal elsewhere.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at how many minutes and texts, as well as how much data you’re using, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t end up spending extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
Also note that if you’re still in your contract period, you might be charged an exit fee.
Ready to look elsewhere? Pay-as-you-go deals are better for people who don’t regularly use their phone, while monthly contracts usually work out cheaper for those who do.
It’s worth using comparison websites, such as MoneySupermarket and uSwitch.com, to compare tariffs and phone prices.
Billmonitor also matches buyers to the best pay-monthly deal based on their previous three months of bills.
It only works if you’re a customer of EE, O2, Three, Vodafone or Tesco Mobile and you’ll need to log in with your online account details.
There’s also MobilePhoneChecker, which has a bill monitoring feature that recommends a tariff based on your monthly usage.
If you’re happy with your provider then it might be worth using your research to haggle a better deal.
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