BIG ALERT IS BIT OF A CLOCK-UP
» Alarm fails to sound for many » Welsh fume over spelling fail
THE new national emergency alert system was tested yesterday… but it did not quite go to plan.
Millions of mobile mobiles using 4G and 5G networks were due to sound an“Armageddon” siren at 3pm.
But some users reported receiving the message a minute early while others said their phone did not make a sound at all.
The Welsh language test also contained a basic spelling error.
Many users reported that the translation of the English phrase “others safe” read “eraill yn Vogel” when it should have said “eraill yn ddiogel”. There is no letter V in the Welsh alphabet.
One Twitter user blasted: “What is “yn Vogel” meant to mean @UKGovWales? This has been in the headlines for weeks and you couldn’t find a single person to proofread the Cymraeg translation?”
Mobile phone network Three also said it was aware some of its customers did
OH MY! Siren sounds in Bristol not get the test alert. A Three spokesman said: “We are working closely with the Government to understand why and ensure it doesn’t happen when the system is in use.”
The emergency alerts have been designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby.
They will be rolled out for life-threatening situations such as flooding and wildfires. And it is hoped that in the future the system could also be used to raise the alarm over child abductions. Yesterday mobiles were due to sound an alert for 10 seconds.
Phone users were also sent a message telling them that no action was needed in response to the test. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden compared the test to when the fire alarm goes off at work. He also admitted the drill could be annoying but insisted it had the potential to save people’s lives once rolled out. A spokesman for the Government said last night: “We have effectively completed the test of the UK-wide emergency alerts system – the biggest public communications exercise of its kind ever done.
“We are working with mobile network operators to review the outcome and any lessons learned.”