Quebec's public emergency alert system to test on mobile devices on November 28

Nov 19 2018, 11:42 pm

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will be sending out provincial public alerting tests across the country on November 28.

As per the CRTC, test alerts should appear on every updated and compatible mobile device connected to an LTE (long-term evolution) wireless network. The test alerts will be simultaneously distributed on radio and television.

Quebec’s tests will take place on Wednesday, November 28 at 2:55 pm whereas the rest of the country’s test alert will go off on 1:55 pm (in respective time zones) on the same day.

For a wireless device to receive a test alert, it must be:

  • Connected to an LTE wireless network at the time the test alert is issued (LTE is commonly referred to as “4G LTE”) ;
  • Wireless public alerting compatible
  • Updated with the wireless service provider’s latest software.

If your mobile device meets these conditions and does not receive the test, Canadians are invited to contact their respective wireless service providers.

Since the wireless public alerts were implemented in April 2018, close to 100 alerts and updates have been successfully delivered to warn Canadians of imminent threats.

The CRTC set a target that 50% of new devices sold in the country be wireless public alert compatible as of April 2018 with eyes of 100% being compatible by April 2019. be wireless public alert compatible as of April 2018, and 100% as of April 2019.

Emergency alert messages are issued by federal, provincial and territorial governments as well as designated emergency management officials to warn the public of imminent threats, such as fires, tornadoes, floods and Amber Alerts.

Provincial officials are responsible for issuing scheduled test messages.

To learn more about test alerts and to find out if a cellphone is capable of receiving emergency alerts, visit the Alert Ready website.

See also

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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