By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Millions of mobile phones across the UK rang a siren sound at the same time on Sunday as part of government efforts to effectively prepare for national emergencies.
The nationwide drill at 3pm (1400 GMT) saw phones and tablets emitted the noise and vibrated for about 10 seconds, while users also received a message saying it was just a test.
It was the second test of the country’s national emergency alert system after the first in 2023.
The government had, in recent weeks, embarked on a publicity drive to minimise any shock caused, including through announcements at rail stations and signs on motorways.
It has used the system to issue real warnings to local areas five times in the past two years.
In January, about 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland received an alert during Storm Eowyn after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.
In February last year, a 500-kilogramme unexploded Second World War bomb found in a back garden in southwest England triggered a warning to about 50,000 phones.
The system is designed for use during the most likely emergencies to affect Britain, where there is the possibility of a loss of life.
Warnings would also be transmitted on television, radio and where appropriate by knocking on doors.
Similar alerts are issued in the United States and Japan.
Only devices connected to 4G or 5G networks received Sunday’s alert in UK.
It came as officials seek to strengthen the country’s resilience amid more frequent extreme weather events and concerns around Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The government published a “Resilience Action Plan” in July, which also cited the upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and cyber attacks.
