Govt tests new system for real-time alerts on disasters, emergencies, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Government tested the Cell Broadcast system on Saturday at 11:42 am to send real-time disaster alerts via text message.
• The alert, titled 'Extremely Severe Alerts', was displayed in multiple languages.
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority to launch the alerting framework.
• The Cell Broadcast technology was developed indigenously by C-DOT.
  
  

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Detailed Insights:

• The Cell Broadcast system is a one-to-many communication channel, unlike SMS which is one-to-one.
• This system mirrors technologies used in countries like Japan for tsunami alerts, enabling near real-time delivery of messages with sound alerts to mobile devices in a specific area.
• The current system uses the Integrated Alert System called SACHET, developed by C-DOT, based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.
• The new technology will strengthen alert dissemination during events like tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes, gas leaks, and chemical hazards.
  
  

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Key Concepts Involved:

• Cell Broadcast: A method to send short messages with sound alerts to all mobile devices in a defined geographic area simultaneously.
• SACHET: An Integrated Alert System developed by C-DOT for disaster alerts via SMS.
• Common Alerting Protocol: A standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union for public warning and emergency alerting.