FCC Reminds EAS/WEA Test Participants that Test Alert Must be Accessible

On July 7, 2021, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released a Public Notice reminding emergency alert system participants and participating commercial mobile service (“CMS”) providers of their requirement to issue accessible alerts in the upcoming nationwide test of the EAS and WEA.  As a reminder, the nationwide test will be conducted on August 11, 2021, at 2:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, with a backup date of August 25, 2021.  FEMA will issue a nationwide WEA using the State/Local WEA category test code, which will appear on subscribers’ wireless handsets if they have opted-in to receive WEA test messages.

The test message will read as follows: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.  No action is needed.”  Participating CMS providers and equipment manufacturers must ensure that the test message is accessible to individuals with disabilities pursuant to sections 10.520 and 10.530 of the FCC’s rules by enabling their WEA-capable devices to include unique audio and vibration signals.  In addition, the WEA messages should be preserved in a consumer-accessible format and location for 24 hours or until deleted by the subscriber.

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