A blackout will affect every phone and TV in the US on October 4, 2023. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a test, causing a blackout for every phone and TV in the US. The Feds will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts and Emergency Alert System on October 4th. This test will temporarily blackout all consumer cell phones, and also be sent to radio and TV stations.
The blackout will test the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 PM ET on Wednesday, October 4th. The October 4th test aims to ensure that the systems remain effective for warning the public about emergencies, especially at the national level.
Wireless Emergency Alerts
The Wireless Emergency Alerts test be will directed. FEMA will send a code to all cell phones, and the test message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset. The WEA test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks.
The message will be sent at approximately 2:20 PM. Cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. All wireless phones should receive the message only once. Consumers will see the message on their phones, which will read…
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Emergency Alert System
The Emergency Alert System test will also take place 2:20PM on October 4. The one minute EAS alert will be sent to radios and televisions. The alert message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages that we are familiar with.
“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “
If they need to postpone the October 4th test due to widespread severe weather or other significant events the back-up testing date is October 11.
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Will the MAGA Republican government shutdown impact this test? I guess will see….
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.