The Federal Communications Commission passed guidelines for mobile alerts during emergencies and disasters, named the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) .
Wireless carriers that choose to participate in the CMAS will transmit text-based alerts to their subscribers.
Consumers can expect to receive three types of messages via their cell phones and other mobile devices from participating wireless carriers, including:
•Presidential Alerts - national emergency-related alerts delivered to the American public that would preempt any other pending alerts;
•Imminent Threat Alerts - alerts with information on emergencies that may pose an imminent risk to people’s lives or well-being;
•Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts - alerts related to missing or endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation.
Under the CMAS, subscribers to wireless services with roaming agreements will receive timely alerts, provided the subscriber’s mobile device is configured for, and technically capable of, receiving such emergency alerts from the network they are roaming on.
Participating wireless carriers will be required to comply with the rules adopted in the Order today within 10 months from the date of announcement that a Federal agency has been designated to collect and transmit the alerts to the wireless carriers.
Action by the Commission, April 9, 2008, by Commercial Mobile Alert Service First Report and Order (FCC 08-99). Chairman Martin, and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate Statements issued by Chairman Martin, and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. PS Docket No. 07-287.