Emergency alerts on mobile phones and the notification system of the Norwegian Civil Defense will be tested

The police are the ones who send out the emergency alarm test on cell phones. Meanwhile, Norwegian Civil Defense is testing tornadoes with an “Important message – request information” sign.

Warning testing is being conducted on Wednesday across the country. This means that cell phones across the country will vibrate and emit a loud beep, at the same time as tornadoes howl, Nødvarsel.no reports.

Who gets the test?

The test is conducted via the mobile phone network across the country. All newer and updated phones and mobile devices in Norway that are connected to a 4G or 5G network can take the test.

Remember to update your phone so you get the latest software from your phone operator. If you don't have an updated phone, you may not receive the test, writes Nødvarsel.no.

If you don't want to take the test, you should put your phone on airplane mode or turn it off completely before and after 12 noon on January 10. Silent, muted notifications, muted notifications, and the like are bypassed.

Why do we test?

Emergency alerts on mobile phones are being tested for all residents to let them know what it feels like to receive an emergency alert and to ensure that the system is working as it should.

In real situations, an emergency alert contains information about what is happening and what you should do to protect yourself.

Hurricanes are tested every six months, on the second Wednesday of January and the second Wednesday of June. Hurricane testing is conducted to detect technical faults and familiarize residents with sound and signal.

The signal consists of three series of shouts with a one-minute pause between the series. If you hear this signal, it practically means that you should request information. Information about what is happening and how you should act is provided through various media, for example radio, television, authorities' websites and social media.

This happens when testing an emergency alert:

• The test will be run between 11.55 and 12.10 on 10 January 2024.

• When you receive the test, the phone vibrates and makes a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds.

• Text appears on the screen. The text says that this is just a test.

• The notification can be “pulled” or removed by pressing “OK” (this depends on the type of phone and your operating system).

• The warning text comes in two language versions – one in Norwegian, where the text is in Bokmål and Nynorsk, and the other in English. Your phone and language settings determine whether you receive the notification in Norwegian, English, or both languages.