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NEW YORK (KTLA) -- The FCC is expanding its familiar emergency alert system notifications sent over TV and radio to now include a text-message system that includes the potential for presidential warnings for impending emergencies.
The Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN) enables cellphone and other mobile device users "to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area," a FEMA release said.
Along with the president, local, state and national government officials will be all able to send public-safety alerts through PLAN, which will be run by FEMA and the FCC, officials said.
There are three types of text messages, FEMA says: "(1) Alerts issued by the president; (2) alerts involving imminent threats to safety of life; and (3) Amber Alerts (on missing children)."
Under the new system, notifications would be based on geography.
A customer living in downtown New York would not receive a threat alert for Chicago.
The service will initially launch in New York City by the end of this year but is expected to roll out nationwide in 2012 through support from AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
To receive the alerts, a mobile phone must be outfitted with a certain hardware chip, typically found in higher-end phones like the newer iPhone, according to The New York Times.
A software upgrade is also required.
Customers will be allowed to block all but presidential alerts.
The Personal Localized Alerting Network (PLAN) enables cellphone and other mobile device users "to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area," a FEMA release said.
Along with the president, local, state and national government officials will be all able to send public-safety alerts through PLAN, which will be run by FEMA and the FCC, officials said.
There are three types of text messages, FEMA says: "(1) Alerts issued by the president; (2) alerts involving imminent threats to safety of life; and (3) Amber Alerts (on missing children)."
Under the new system, notifications would be based on geography.
A customer living in downtown New York would not receive a threat alert for Chicago.
The service will initially launch in New York City by the end of this year but is expected to roll out nationwide in 2012 through support from AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
To receive the alerts, a mobile phone must be outfitted with a certain hardware chip, typically found in higher-end phones like the newer iPhone, according to The New York Times.
A software upgrade is also required.
Customers will be allowed to block all but presidential alerts.
