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Original poster

Emergency test broadcasting message on phone

98 replies

TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 07:56

Has anyone else had this?

I just woke up, a minute before my alarm went off, to my mobile making a very loud rather frantic beeping noise.

It took me a minute to work out what it was but when I looked it said it was a test of the emergency broadcasting system and that I didn't need to do anything else.

Has anyone else had this happen?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:03

And it just happened again. Weird.

OP posts:
DancesWithDaffodils · 11/05/2021 08:11

I've not had anything.
At least you will be the first to know of any impending doom, while I will carry on in ignorance!

CatsWhiskers2020 · 11/05/2021 08:14

Nope nothing here!!

autumnboys · 11/05/2021 08:16

This has happened to me once. I was in Romania so I needed Google translate and then Google maps to work out that there was a bear a few streets away from us!

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 11/05/2021 08:16

Have you seen the Greenland film? You've been chosen for the bunker!

ShaunaTheSheep · 11/05/2021 08:18

Are you near a facility that would use an emergency broadcast - nuclear power station, high security prison, flash flooding zone?

flashylamp · 11/05/2021 08:19

In the UK?

We don't, as far as I know, have such a system.

In fact, it was raised just last year when all the phone companies had to take on responsibility for sending out the lockdown texts, due to the government failing to have a system in place
.
Perhaps though they are working through it now?

Jobseeker19 · 11/05/2021 08:21

Omg its like that film with Gerard Butler!

Jongleurterre · 11/05/2021 08:28

A prank?

Icancelledthecheque · 11/05/2021 08:30

I haven’t had a test one no.

I have had tornado warnings though when I was in the USA. Quite disconcerting to be driving in a storm and have your phone suddenly screaming at you to find shelter!

Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:32

My brain isn't functioning enough to let me take a screen shot on my phone. I''m barely awake, so I took a pic with my Ipad, and yes I am about to charge my phone.

Thanks for the wakeup call, O2. If I'd been constipated it'd certainly have cured it.

I haven't seen Greenland. I'm not sure if I should be flattered that I've been chosen for the bunker, or dismayed. I've never really fancied surviving an apocalypse. Instant obliteration seems more bearable than being one of the struggling survivors.

Emergency test broadcasting message on phone
OP posts:
loginfail · 11/05/2021 08:35

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_alerts_in_the_United_Kingdom

Other than that any chance it's a prank or you've suddenly and accidentally ended up with a bespoke ring tone/alarm
Confused

loginfail · 11/05/2021 08:38

Ah, posted too soon, just found this but no idea of the date it was published:

flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/cell-broadcast-trial

SavageBeauty73 · 11/05/2021 08:39

Wow you are the chosen one.

flashylamp · 11/05/2021 08:41

We don't use 'cell' in the UK, it's unlikely that has come from O2 IMO

gingerbiscuit19 · 11/05/2021 08:41

This sounds terrifying!!

Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:41

The alarm was set on my Ipad, not my phone, which is the weird thing, though it was a minute before,

So they are testing the system then? Thank you, that's helpful to know. I wonder why it went twice though? I've turned it off so hopefully it won't happen again,

I don't live near anything high security. I'm not far from a prison but it isn't a high security one as such though according to Wiki is built to take high security prisoners as necessary,

OP posts:
Ylfa · 11/05/2021 08:43

@flashylamp

We don't use 'cell' in the UK, it's unlikely that has come from O2 IMO
We do. We have cell planners and everything!
TheQueef · 11/05/2021 08:45

I know they have the capability but I've never seen the UK system used.

You've got the heads up, Priti is launching a military coup Smile

flashylamp · 11/05/2021 08:46

We do. We have cell planners and everything!

Ok, I don't even know what that is. I have never had a mobile network use the term 'cell' in communication with me in over 20 years though so it immediately says something isn't right to me.

Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:47

It was terrifying. Not the most pleasant way to wake up.

Don't worry though. When the Zombie Apocalypse is due, you'll be the first people to know.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:48

You've got the heads up, Priti is launching a military coup 

Lol. I'll be putting my bunker space up for raffle. I definitely don't want to survive that.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 11/05/2021 08:49

I think you are meant to stock pile bog rolls and ram raid a garden centre.
Don't panic though.

minniemomo · 11/05/2021 08:51

I signed up to a local alert system as we have a specific danger, they said it could be adapted for other emergencies but it was opt in. There's street sirens too

Original poster
TheTroubleWithShoes · 11/05/2021 08:54

I'm up for raiding a garden centre. I've always wanted to go wild in the local one's posh food hall. Place your orders now.

OP posts:
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