Public warning and alerting system via public mobile networks
In recent years, natural and other disasters have demonstrated how crucial an effective and reliable public warning and alerting system is. Regardless of the type of emergency, the rapid and efficient delivery of information to the public is essential. In addition to existing means of notification (radio and TV announcements, sirens), the most accessible means of issuing emergency warnings and instructions is by sending messages to mobile phones, as most people carry them at all times.
The establishment of the SI-ALERT public warning and alerting system via public mobile networks enables the timely delivery of warning messages, contributing to a higher level of safety in the country. It improves public awareness and safety, enables more effective coordination of emergency services in areas affected by natural or other disasters and reduces risks of adverse impacts on both health and property.
Purpose and use of the system
The SI-ALERT system is designed to quickly and efficiently provide emergency information in a defined geographical area (country, region, municipality) in the event of natural and other disasters that pose a serious threat to life and property.
The Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (hereinafter: the Administration) is the administrator of the public warning and alerting system, which will also include the SI-ALERT system. The system is already in use in most European countries.
It complements existing alert systems such as sirens, radio and TV broadcasts, online notices and public address systems. The system enables the rapid transmission of messages – within seconds – to mobile phones connected to any mobile network operator in the Republic of Slovenia.
The system will be used for various purposes to protect the health and property of residents and visitors in the Republic of Slovenia, including:
- Warning of immediate danger (major fire, floods, earthquake, hazardous substance spill, industrial accident, terrorist attack, etc.)
- Warning of impending danger (floods, fallen trees, landslides, storms, terrorist attacks, etc.)
- Information for the public on what measures to take before, during and after a natural or other disaster
- Assistance in locating missing persons
Who is authorised to send messages
Messages will be sent to mobile phones by the Administration. The level of urgency, the content of the message, the geographical area of dissemination and the duration or repetition of messages will be determined by:
- The Government of the Republic of Slovenia
- The minister responsible for disaster protection
- The mayor of the municipality of the affected area
- The national, regional or municipal civil protection commander (or their deputies)
- The Director General of the Administration or their deputy
- Heads of the Administration’s regional offices
- The head of the municipal disaster protection services
- Intervention leaders
- Other persons authorised by the Government or the mayor
To ensure reliability and functionality of the system, a series of technical and user tests must be carried out before it is fully implemented.
The Administration will send a test push message to mobile phones connected to Slovenian mobile networks. The purpose of public testing is to verify the system’s practical operation and to familiarise the public with how messages are received and displayed.
The public will be notified in due time about the date of the public test.
-
Test message content
NATIONAL ALERT:
"SI-ALERT This is a test message from the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. In the future, you will receive similar messages on your mobile phones in the event of natural and other disasters. The system was established to better protect people, animals, and property.
TEST TEST TEST"
Display of the test message on a mobile phone
Levels according to the level of danger and examples of possible messages
The level of individual push messages a user receives will depend on the level of danger at a given time within a specific geographical area. Alert message levels are standardised across the EU in accordance with the European Union standard (ETSI TS 102 900).
The way a message is displayed depends on the type of mobile phone and its operating system. On some phones, users can disable certain CB (Cell Broadcast) messages – mainly informational and test messages – although this is not recommended. Messages at the highest level (e.g. in the event of immediate danger) cannot be turned off.
| Message level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Missing persons | Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The national alert is an alert for the highest level of danger | Alert of extreme danger | Alert of severe danger | Alert with recommended measures to protect people, animals and property | Urgent child abduction alert | Testing of operators in the security alert system |
| Disable option | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sound duration | Until user interaction or up to 5 minutes | 10,5 sekunde | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds |
| Vibration pattern | Morse code SOS | Morse code SOS | Morse code SOS | Morse code SOS | Morse code SOS | Morse code SOS |
| Vibration duration | Until user interaction or up to 5 minutes | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds | 10.5 seconds |
| Plays in do-not-disturb mode | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Message level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding of the Sava River (example) | EVACUATION: An evacuation will take place at [time] in Laze pri Dolskem and Jevnica due to flooding of the Sava River, which poses an immediate threat to everyone in the area. Follow the instructions of the emergency services, who will escort you to safety. | Move to higher ground – river level rising: In Laze pri Dolskem, the Sava River has already overflowed its banks and flooded the local road. Water levels are expected to rise further. All residents in Laze and Jevnica are urged to move to higher ground and monitor media updates. | Sava River overflow and local road flooding: In Laze pri Dolskem, the Sava River will overflow and flood the local road. Move to higher ground and monitor media updates. | Flooding risk of the Sava River: According to ARSO forecasts, there is a high risk of flooding of the Sava River in the Laze and Jevnica areas. Move your vehicles and belongings to safety and protect yourself from possible flooding. |
| Message level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire in a hazardous substances facility (example) | IMMEDIATE EVACUATION! A hazardous substance is spreading from the fire site in the industrial zone. Evacuate immediately towards the designated evacuation points as instructed by the civil protection service. Emergency services have been activated. | Possible release of hazardous substances – do not leave the building! A fire in a nearby building poses a risk of hazardous substances spreading. Stay indoors, do not use air conditioning and follow official instructions. | Fire in the industrial zone – close windows and stay indoors: A fire in a nearby building poses a risk of hazardous substances spreading. Stay indoors, do not use air conditioning and follow official instructions. | Incident in industrial zone – no danger to the surrounding area: A minor incident has occurred at a hazardous substances facility with no environmental impact. The situation is being monitored by the relevant services. There is no need to take action. |
| Message level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake (example) | Devastating earthquake – DANGER ZONE! A powerful earthquake (magnitude >6.0) has been recorded. Extensive damage to buildings, risk of collapse and fire. Do not enter buildings. Emergency services have been activated. If you are injured or trapped, call 112 and follow the instructions of the relevant authorities. Monitor official websites and media updates. | Strong earthquake – stay outside or in safe areas! An earthquake (magnitude 5.5) has been recorded, posing a risk of damage to buildings. If you are in a safe location, stay there. If possible, stay outside and away from buildings, power lines and trees. Follow the instructions of the relevant authorities and monitor official websites and the media. | Earthquake tremor – check your home for damage: A moderate earthquake (magnitude 4.5) has been recorded. You are advised to check your home for damage (cracked plaster, gas lines, etc.). Aftershocks may occur. | Mild earthquake recorded – no danger: At 14:12, a mild earthquake (magnitude 2.8) was recorded with its epicentre near your location. There are no reports of damage. There is no need to take action. |
| Message level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrorism (example) | Terrorist attack in progress – IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED! A confirmed terrorist attack is underway in the area of [location]. If possible, move to safety; if not, take shelter, lock the doors and silence your phone. Do not call unless it is urgent. The security services have been activated. Follow the instructions of the relevant authorities and monitor official websites and the media. | Confirmed terrorist threat – stay indoors! Security services are responding to a serious threat in the area of [location]. Do not leave buildings. Avoid public transport and crowds. Follow the instructions of civil protection services and the police. | Suspected security incident – avoid certain areas: An investigation into a suspected security threat is underway in the area of [location]. Avoid the affected area and follow the instructions of the security services. Monitor further official updates. | Increased police presence due to a potential terrorist threat – no immediate danger: Police presence in public places has been increased as a security precaution. There are currently no reports of an imminent terrorist threat. All activities are continuing as normal. Monitor further official updates. |
Important information for recipients
Push messages are received automatically; no registration or app installation is required, and no data connection is needed – only a connection to a mobile network.
The message is automatically displayed on the phone screen upon receipt, accompanied by a distinctive audio signal (a very loud beep).
The message is deleted once the user interacts with it. The history of received messages is available in the phone settings, where users can also manage individual parameters for receiving messages.
For the system to function properly, it is important that users regularly update their mobile phones.
The system works on all mobile phones; not just smartphones, but also older models, regardless of the type of subscription or pre-paid plan.
Messages are sent one-way – from the Administration to users – without the possibility of a return communication or direct reply to the received report.
Receiving messages is free of charge for users.
Language of the message
Residents of Slovenia and visitors from abroad will receive two push messages – one in Slovenian and one in English.
In areas where the Italian and Hungarian national communities reside, three messages will be sent – in the language of the respective national community (i.e. Italian or Hungarian), in Slovenian and in English.
What to do when you receive a message
Users should follow the instructions provided in the message.
For additional information, users should monitor updates from the relevant institutions, published via electronic, printed and social media as well as online.
Operation of the system
The system operates on mobile phones connected to any generation of mobile network (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G) in use in the Republic of Slovenia. The push message will be received by all mobile phones that are connected to the network of any operator at the time the message is sent in the area designated by the Administration as affected. This also applies to mobile phones roaming on domestic networks (using the network of another domestic operator) as well as to visitors from abroad.
Mobile phones that are switched-off will not receive messages.
Push messages may be repeated if necessary, allowing users who arrive in the target area late or after the initial message has been sent to receive them. The system will not resend messages to users who have already received them.
As danger zones and mobile coverage areas cannot be defined with complete accuracy, users outside the directly affected area may also receive alerts. It is also possible that not all members of the same household will receive the message, as this depends on their physical location at the time of the notification (i.e. whether or not they are within the designated affected area).
CB mode for sending push messages
Push messages are sent using Cell Broadcast (CB) technology, which allows very fast and reliable delivery to mobile phones connected to a network in a specific geographical area defined by the sender.
CB technology enables simultaneous mass messaging to mobile phone users in a defined geographical area without the use of phone numbers. The technology is primarily used for emergency notifications and public alerting in case of danger.
CB technology operation
- The notification is prepared by the authorised service (the Administration).
- The message is then sent to the mobile operator via the alert message distribution system with instructions on which areas of the mobile network it should be sent to.
- The operator sends the message to defined areas of its mobile network. This allows base stations in the areas to send a message to mobile phones.
- All mobile phones supporting CB technology within range of these areas receive the message at the same time.
Features of CB messages
- Broadcast by area (the message is not sent to individual numbers, but to all devices within a defined area)
- No phone number is required (to receive a message, the system does not require the recipient’s number).
- The message arrives instantly, even when the network is congested, because the CB message is sent over a special, dedicated channel.
System security
The system includes a range of security mechanisms that prevent the misuse of the SI-ALARM system. The system is physically separated from public communication networks and also includes a range of other mechanisms to protect against intrusions and ensure the system’s operation in emergency situations.
Data protection
The system does not collect or process personal data, nor does it collect data on which mobile phones the push message was delivered to.
Unlike SMS alerts, no personal data such as mobile phone numbers is used in emergency push notifications.
