[sbe-eas] UK announces new mobile emergency alert system in October 2022

[Sean Donelan]

After 10 years of "testing" (delays), UK announced plans to launch its 
version of mobile emergency alerts (WEA in U.S.) starting in September 
2022, with wider availability in October 2022.

An estimate 85% smartphones in UK are compatible.  International travaller
smartphones (iOS 14.5 or later, Android 11 or later) are also compatible 
with 4G and 5G Cell Broadcast EU-Alerts and WEA.  UK emergency alerts 
won't support older 2G or 3G networks.

UK uses the opt-out approach, similar to the US and other EU countries. 
Currently only "Severe alerts" are being used (extreme weather, fires, 
flooding).  UK will use the same alert tone as the U.S. WEA.

Other alert classes could be used in the future (Amber, National 
(Presidential in U.S.), Extreme).  But won't be used initially.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62549122

https://www.gov.uk/alerts