Brits are being advised to prepare for an emergency alert test on all 4G and 5G mobile networks by the UK government on Sunday, September 7. The Emergency Alerts service, an initiative by the UK government, is aimed at notifying individuals of nearby life-threatening situations, ensuring that mobile devices receive alerts during emergencies with safety instructions.
Users are cautioned against using their mobile phones during the alert, as it may cause disruptions, especially for activities like shopping, banking, or using popular mobile applications such as WhatsApp. ParcelHero, a home delivery service, expressed concerns about potential disruptions and failed transactions due to the mass testing of alerts on all networks.
Experts suggest that the alert test could lead to issues like failed transactions and phone freezing, particularly for users of platforms like Amazon, eBay, PayPal, or Apple Pay. David Jinks, a Consumer Research expert, highlighted the need for vigilance during the alert test, as devices will display a warning message with vibrations and a loud siren for about 10 seconds.
The alert message on all 4G and 5G devices will inform users about the Emergency Alerts service and direct them to gov.uk/alerts for more information. ParcelHero specialists anticipate post-alert problems such as poor streaming quality, gaming issues, and slow browsing speeds as users share their experiences via mobile devices.
It is recommended that users wait for a few minutes after the alert before conducting transactions or browsing, ensuring the alert has been cleared from their devices. Users are advised to verify recent transactions on payment applications and opt for receiving purchase confirmation emails securely. Mr. Jinks also offers a method to opt out of receiving alerts by adjusting settings, though it is advised not to do so considering the potential life-saving nature of the alerts.