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A new emergency alert system approved by the Czech government promises to deliver life-saving warnings to people’s mobile phones within seconds in the event of natural disasters, accidents, or violent threats.
Known as Cell Broadcast, the system will be fully operational in about a year and aims to significantly improve public safety by overcoming the limitations of the current SMS-based alert method.
Urgent messages reaching more people
“In the event of a tornado, flood, or other emergency, a notification will appear directly on your phone telling you what to do—such as to seek shelter,” said Klára Ochmanová, spokesperson for the General Directorate of the Fire and Rescue Service, which will manage the system. The police and military will also have access to send alerts, the government notes.
Unlike SMS messages, which can be delayed or lost during network congestion, Cell Broadcast messages are sent to all compatible phones in a specific geographic area within seconds. They appear on the screen—even when the phone is locked or muted—and can include audio warnings and location-specific instructions.
An upgrade to SMSs
The current SMS warning system is slow and unreliable, authorities say. It can only send about 1,000 messages per minute, meaning alerts can take hours to reach everyone. During emergencies, like floods, the system often fails because mobile networks become overloaded with calls and texts. Messages don’t get through, and power outages sometimes knockout the mobile signal entirely.
“This technology allows us to target alerts precisely, whether it's a street, a town, or an entire region,” said Interior Minister Vít Rakušan. “It’s about giving people clear, immediate information when every second counts.”
The initiative will cost CZK 234 million to implement, with the state covering CZK 100 million and mobile operators contributing CZK 134 million.
Could old people be excluded?
However, the system is limited to newer smartphones. It requires at least Android 11 or iOS devices, meaning older phones—including push-button models—will not receive alerts. This poses a challenge, especially among older citizens. According to the Czech Statistical Office, around three-quarters of people over 75 still use old-style phones.
“This is a wake-up call to modernize,” said Jiří Grund, president of the Association of Mobile Network Operators. “Old phones not only miss these warnings but are also more vulnerable to security threats.”
Officials emphasized that the existing SMS alert system, which failed during last year’s floods in northern Moravia, will remain in place for now but is seen as inadequate.
