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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No emergency alarm

90 replies

JackiePlace · 23/04/2023 21:25

I actually wanted to hear what it sounded like… as I'd quite like to be informed if a mad dog is roaming my neighborhood, or a hurricane is on the way.

I have a PAYG phone... is that why I didn't get it? I am on EE (formerly Orange).

Anyone else?

OP posts:
slowsundays · 23/04/2023 22:34

I got it twice - one at 14:59 and again at 16:35 Confused

Hellocatshome · 23/04/2023 22:34

Either the system is shit or those of us who got it are the chosen ones who will be saved in case of disaster and all of you who didn't get it are doomed.

HelpMeArgh · 23/04/2023 22:47

I have o2 and should have 5g but due to the crappy network I usually receive from o2, I only had 3g at the time and go no alert. Not sure if that's why but would make sense.

HelpMeArgh · 23/04/2023 22:51

Pixiedust1234 · 23/04/2023 22:26

I didn't get it. Since found out only 4g or 5g will receive it and mine is 3g. Never saw that written anywhere in all the media posts about the upcoming alert.

So I guess all the poor people who can't afford newer phones aren't worth saving then 🙄

I have just seen your post. Or those on o2 where they've been promising to upgrade their network and apologise for outages on an almost monthly basis!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 23/04/2023 23:00

I've got a 5g phone but was connected to Wi-Fi and still didn't get it

Original poster
JackiePlace · 23/04/2023 23:21

aberlot · 23/04/2023 21:29

What kind of phone?

Old iPhone. 7 I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
JackiePlace · 23/04/2023 23:25

Justathrowawaycomment · 23/04/2023 22:00

I presume those of us who received it are the chosen ones who have been selected to survive rabid goat attack, swarms of killer bees, and incantations of sea witches.

Those who did not receive it... sorry.

Ah, that explains why I didn't get it (chronic health issues).

OP posts:
Shoelacesundone · 23/04/2023 23:34

FFS this is why they test....it is a TEST to identify changes that need making.. then they make changes then there will be more tests...the level of intelligence on here. Has literally no one implemented a system or tech change??

jcyclops · 23/04/2023 23:43

Samsung on EE - I got the "text" but no audible warning at all. Phone was about 2 feet away from me and not on silent.

Pixiedust1234 · 23/04/2023 23:43

Shoelacesundone · 23/04/2023 23:34

FFS this is why they test....it is a TEST to identify changes that need making.. then they make changes then there will be more tests...the level of intelligence on here. Has literally no one implemented a system or tech change??

Good grief. This is a discussion thread to see who didn't get it and maybe why. Its nothing to do with our intelligence 🙄

OrangeFluff · 23/04/2023 23:55

I’m with Three and got it.

TimeToChange111 · 23/04/2023 23:57

The gov.uk info wasn't particularly good e.g. https://www.gov.uk/alerts/how-alerts-work#compatible-devices
To receive the emergency alert, you need to have a smartphone on at least iOS 14.5 or Android 11 AND you need to be attached to a 4G or 5G mobile network.

It's also a good test to see whether you'll be impacted when the UK mobile networks switch off their 3G networks.
Vodafone are switching theirs off this year, 3 and EE next year and O2 have yet to announce.
So - unless you're on 3 (who seemed to have major issues with today's test), if you didn't get the alarm today, the chances are you will need to upgrade your phone to keep being able to use mobile data once your network switches off their 3G sites.

How emergency alerts work

Emergency alerts are broadcast from mobile phone masts. Find out if your phone or tablet can receive alerts.

https://www.gov.uk/alerts/how-alerts-work#compatible-devices

TimeToChange111 · 23/04/2023 23:58

And if you want to give feedback on your experience with the emergency alarm, you can do that here: https://surveys.publishing.service.gov.uk/s/A7XZXQ/

fryanddry · 24/04/2023 00:02

did you have to sign your number up to receive the alert? how do they get peoples numbers?

Pixiedust1234 · 24/04/2023 00:20

@TimeToChange111 thanks for that informative post. I keep forgetting that 3g is being switched off so I probably need to upgrade my phone if I want to use parking apps etc in the future. Which is an absolute pain (financially too) as this phone works perfectly fine, its just not an all singing all dancing one 😥

LadyJ2023 · 24/04/2023 00:23

Me hubby and older kids all same network EE all modern phones and out of 4 I'm the only one that got it 🤔

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 24/04/2023 00:27

I’ve a feeling that those who didn’t not receive it have done something in their settings for alerts switched off. That or a network issue.

Heartofglass12345 · 24/04/2023 00:27

I have 5 mobiles in my house, 1 with no SIM card if that makes a difference.
Only one did anything but it was in a drawer as it's a phone I use for volunteer befriending. All I heard was a woman's voice talking, we didn't know what was going on at first lol

TimeToChange111 · 24/04/2023 08:58

fryanddry · 24/04/2023 00:02

did you have to sign your number up to receive the alert? how do they get peoples numbers?

It was a cell broadcast message, sent to all UK mobiles attached to a 4G/5G cell site at the time of the test - it wasn't sent to a specific set of numbers, just any that were attached.

ScottBakula · 24/04/2023 09:37

heidihigh · 23/04/2023 21:47

I got it but I was expecting it to be louder HmmI hardly noticed it.

Me too , it only sounded for about 2 seconds and even though my phone was right next to me it wasn't loud at all.
I wouldn't of heard it if I was a few feet way or a slightly noisy environment.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 24/04/2023 11:12

I didn't get it yesterday but did get it this morning driving to work ffs

gallopinggallumph · 24/04/2023 11:41

It came through loud and clear on my EE mobile on the dot at 3pm. I’d switched my ringer off for the test.
DH, who is with O2, was sitting two feet away and heard nothing - til 15 minutes later! Neighbours are with 3 and got nothing.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 24/04/2023 12:09

I'm wondering why i got it this morning instead of yesterday

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/04/2023 12:14

vera99 · 23/04/2023 21:55

Retired army fella on LBC saying it's for a nuclear war to take shelter not about anything else !

And what special information would a retired army fella have?

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/04/2023 12:17

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 24/04/2023 00:27

I’ve a feeling that those who didn’t not receive it have done something in their settings for alerts switched off. That or a network issue.

It's already been established that those on 3 didn't get it, and the government web page says that those with old Android or iOS versions wouldn't get it. And of course those that have switched off alerts didn't get it.