Status: 08/10/2021 8:04 p.m.
According to the experiences with the storms in July, it should be better warned of impending disasters in the future. The federal and state governments therefore decided to introduce the cell broadcasting system to alert those at risk via text messages.
After the devastating flood disaster in mid-July, the federal and state governments want to introduce the cell broadcasting system to warn the population. This was announced by both sides after the video conference by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the prime ministers of the federal states. Accordingly, the federal government is already working on a legal basis. “At the same time, the cell phone masts in Germany will be technically adapted in a timely manner,” said the joint decision.
The system is intended to warn people in danger areas who are in a corresponding radio cell with their mobile phones in the future via text messages. There is no need to install an app. The system is used in many other countries.
Sirens will wail again
At the same time, the federal and state governments decided to expand the siren network system to disseminate warnings in the event of disasters and emergencies. The federal government is providing the federal states with up to 88 million euros for the “upgrading and installation of sirens” through a funding program. The states already had corresponding administrative agreements, it said.
Technology available in all mobile radio standards
So far, the federal government has relied primarily on warning notices via the media and apps such as “NINA” and “Katwarn” in the event of impending disasters. However, these must be actively installed on smartphones. But many older people in particular have a cell phone, but no suitable smartphone.
Cell broadcast should therefore now be used, as the technology is anchored in all cellular radio standards – from the old GSM to the current 5G. The warning notices reach all mobile radio devices that are logged into the radio cell. As long as the warning is maintained, devices that are re-registering will also be reached.
Warnings only as long as radio cells are transmitting
Similar to FM radio, no one can tell who received the alerts. In contrast to SMS or modern messenger systems, there is no return channel. Cell broadcast is therefore considered to be a very privacy-friendly warning system. However, the warnings only reach the recipients as long as the radio cells are transmitting. In extreme situations such as the recent flood disasters in Rhineland-Palatinate or North Rhine-Westphalia, the cells can also fail because the power supply has collapsed or the radio mast has been washed away.