Wireless Emergency Alerts FAQ

FAQ for Consumers:

• Do I have to sign-up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts?

  If you have a WEA-enabled phone, you are automatically enrolled.

  For example, if a person with a WEA-capable device from Washington, D.C., happened to be in Southern California when an earthquake occurred in that area, they would receive an "Imminent Threat Alert" on their device.  

  The alert messages will not disrupt text, calls or data sessions that are in progress.

• What do I do after I receive an alert?

  The alert should contain a recommended course of action to be taken in the specific situation so you should follow these instructions. There might be updates to the information in the initial alert, so make sure you monitor your device for further updates. You might also want to check other sources of information, such as the radio or television, for more information.

• Is my device capable of receiving Wireless Emergency Alerts?

  Capable devices will have this logo on the handset's box:
  
  

  

  Additionally, many providers provide a list of capable devices on their network. While some versions of a device model might be capable, earlier versions might not.

  To receive these alerts, you might need to only upgrade your device's software, rather than purchase a new one. To confirm Wireless Emergency Alerts are available in your area and your device is capable of receiving the alerts, please check with your carrier.

  Here is a list of participating carrier websites. If your provider is not listed, they are likely working to make the alerts available for their customers soon.

  Provider-specific Wireless Emergency Alert Information

  AT&T
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Bluegrass Cellular
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Cellcom:
  WEA Main Page

  Cricket:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Sprint Nextel Corporation:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  T-Mobile USA:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  U.S. Cellular:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts | U.S. Cellular

  Verizon Wireless:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

• Does my wireless carrier offer Wireless Emergency Alerts?

  Wireless carriers that cover nearly 97 percent of American subscribers have chosen to offer wireless alerts, including prepaid providers. To confirm the availability of Wireless Emergency Alerts in your area, please contact your wireless provider.

  Provider-specific Wireless Emergency Alert Information

  AT&T
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Bluegrass Cellular
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Cellcom:
  WEA Main Page

  Cricket:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  Sprint Nextel Corporation:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  T-Mobile USA:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

  U.S. Cellular:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts | U.S. Cellular

  Verizon Wireless:
  Wireless Emergency Alerts Information

• What happens when a Wireless Emergency Alert is received?

  The alerts have unique audible signal and vibration cadence. The Wireless Emergency Alert message will contain up to 90 characters and provide basic information, including:

  • Who is sending the alert
  • What is happening
  • Who is affected
  • What action to take

  WEA alerts are rebroadcast until the emergency situation has passed and is no longer a threat to those in the area. 

• Is a Wireless Emergency Alert the same as a SMS text message?

  No, the Wireless Emergency Alert appears similar to a text message, but uses a different kind of technology to ensure they are delivered immediately and are not subjected to potential congestion (or delays) on wireless networks.

  When a user receives a Wireless Emergency Alert, the device will emit a unique audible signal and vibration cadence to emphasize its importance. There will also be an alert icon to help a user distinguish the message.

  In addition, the alert will be no more than 90 characters and provide basic information, including:

  • Who is sending the alert
  • What is happening
  • Who is affected
  • What action to take

  Additionally, because the alerts are not the same as SMS text messages, an SMS block will not prevent the alerts.

  Wireless Emergency Alerts are a point-to-multipoint system, which means it will send the alert message to those within a targeted area, unlike text messages which are not location aware.

  Unlike SMS text messages that are sent from one user to another designated user, WEA is a "one-to-many" broadcast that is sent to all capable phones in a particular impacted area.

• Can I turn off Wireless Emergency Alerts?

  Consumers may opt out of Imminent Threat and AMBER alerts. Per the WARN Act of 1996, Congress said that no consumer could opt out of Presidential Alerts.

  The directions for opting out of Imminent Threat and AMBER alerts vary by device and provider. Please contact your wireless service provider for instructions.

• I turned off Wireless Emergency Alerts, but want to sign-up for them now. How do I do that?

  The directions for opting out of Imminent Threat and AMBER alerts vary by device and provider. Per the WARN Act of 1996, Congress said that no consumer could opt out of Presidential Alerts.

  Please contact your wireless service provider for instructions.

• Will I be charged for Wireless Emergency Alerts?

  No, the alerts are free of cost for all subscribers.

• Do subscribers need GPS enabled phones to receive geographically targeted alerts?

  No, the alerts are sent to specific geographic areas. Any WEA-capable phone in that particular area and on a participating network will receive the message. The device's location information is used only for the delivery of the Wireless Emergency Alert and is not tracked by the provider or the government.

• What if I am traveling in an area and an emergency alert is issued? Will I receive it?

  If an emergency alert is issued and you are in that area with a WEA-capable phone, you will receive the message. WEA alerts are rebroadcast until the emergency situation has passed and is no longer a threat to those in the area. 

  If you are traveling into an affected area after the original alert has been issued, you will receive the message.  If you are not in your home region, and an emergency alert is issued there, you will not receive that alert. 

• Does it matter if I am roaming when an alert is issued?

  As long as you have a WEA-capable phone and are roaming on the network of a participating wireless carrier, you will receive any alerts issued for that particular geographic area.

  Wireless carriers that cover nearly 97 percent of American subscribers have chosen to offer wireless alerts, including prepaid providers. To confirm the availability of Wireless Emergency Alerts in a particular area, please contact your wireless provider.

• When an alert is issued, will I receive multiple alerts? Are they duplicates?

  The devices are designed to reject the receipt of duplicate alerts.  However, while an alert might appear to be very similar to the original message, it is possible the alert has been reissued with additional information. Please read the alerts carefully.

• I use a prepaid service. Will I receive these alerts if my device and carrier are WEA-capable?

  Capable devices, including prepaid, will have this logo on the handset's box:

  

  In addition, wireless providers, including prepaid (or pay-as-you-go), are either offering the alerts or are working to make these alerts available for their customers soon. To confirm Wireless Emergency Alerts are available in your area and your device is capable of receiving the alerts, please check with your carrier.

• I have a feature phone, not a smartphone. Will I receive these alerts if my device and carrier are WEA-capable?

  Capable devices, including feature phones, will have this logo on the handset's box:

  

  In addition, wireless providers, including prepaid (or pay-as-you-go), are either offering the alerts or are working to make these alerts available for their customers soon. To confirm Wireless Emergency Alerts are available in your area and your device is capable of receiving the alerts, please check with your carrier.

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