Communications and Information Technology Commission requests public consultation on requirements for an early warning mechanism using cell broadcast service

The Communications and Information Technology Commission announced today the release of a public consultation document on the requirements for an early warning mechanism using the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) available on mobile communications networks, which is used in several areas (warning, awareness, promotional and marketing, and others), whereby this service sends text messages accompanied by different alert tones and vibrations depending on the classification of the emergency situation, so that users present in the danger location cannot ignore them.

The Commission said that using this service to broadcast warning messages in cases of disasters and emergencies will create effective communication channels with mobile phone users, and will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of warning about risks in the area affected by the disaster, adding that this service is characterized by the speed of delivering the content of the warning message to the user compared to traditional short text messages (SMS) currently used in warning about disaster and emergency situations.

In its pursuit of achieving transparency and involving the public in the decision-making process, the Commission invited all specialists and interested parties to review the public consultation document through its website (www.cst.gov.sa) and submit detailed answers and comments, with the necessity of providing data, analyses, and relevant comparative studies that support the views and comments via email

no later than 09/11/1439H, corresponding to 22/07/2018.

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