On July 10, 2025, at 8:00 PM, in response to an orange-level warning issued by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre for Riga and the southern part of Latvia, a cell broadcast message was sent for the first time in Latvia. This event marks a significant step in the modernization of the national civil defense system, implemented with substantial support from EU funds.
"At the beginning of July, work on the development of the cell broadcast LV-ALERT product and its integration into mobile operator infrastructure was completed. Work on the full implementation of the system is still ongoing, because for residents to receive cell broadcast messages, every mobile phone user needs to update their device software, which is currently happening gradually. However, given that the warning affected Riga and thousands of schoolchildren are currently gathered there, we decided to send a cell broadcast message," explains Mārtiņš Baltmanis, Chief of the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
M. Baltmanis emphasizes: "When a threat arises, it's important to receive a timely warning and information on how to proceed. This allows for preparation and mitigation of the consequences of the threat. It's possible that yesterday's message caused inconvenience to some, but only by using the system can we test it and work on improvements. I want to emphasize again – whether someone received or did not receive the message largely depends on the phone manufacturer's and operating system developer's settings. As operating system updates continue, more and more residents in the affected area will receive cell broadcast messages."
After the cell broadcast message was sent, SFRS received questions and comments from several residents, so in cooperation with the Information Centre of the Ministry of Interior, we have prepared answers to the most frequently asked questions and clarifications:
What is cell broadcast?
Cell broadcast is not SMS messages; it's a special notification on mobile phones that appears on their screens along with an audible signal and vibration. Cell broadcast is currently the fastest and most modern way to simultaneously and targeted notify people in an endangered area about a potential or existing threat and the necessary actions. The message is sent to all active phones within the reception area of a specific mobile communication tower, including phones without a SIM card, if their manufacturer's built-in functionality allows them to receive such notifications.
Why was the cell broadcast message not received on all phones or received with a delay, while on other phones the cell broadcast message arrived repeatedly?
The reception and display of the message on phones is primarily ensured by the respective operating system developer. Smartphones whose manufacturer has provided cell broadcast functionality must have the latest updates installed. The non-receipt of the message on Thursday evening was most likely due to the phone not having the latest update.
Cell broadcast works similarly to radio. A message is received if the mobile phone is within the reception area of a specific mobile communication tower, including phones that do not have a SIM card inserted. In turn, repeated receipt of messages most likely indicates that changes need to be made in the phone's settings regarding the frequency of emergency message reception.
Since the cell broadcast system allows messages to be sent to a specific, endangered area, yesterday's message was received only by those residents who were in the orange warning area designated by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre – Riga, Jūrmala, and the southern part of Latvia.
The Information Centre of the Ministry of Interior, which managed the development and implementation project of the cell broadcast product, is also working with mobile operators to evaluate the process of sending messages through mobile operator communication towers.
Why was the cell broadcast message named “Presidential Alert”?
“Presidential Alert” is a category name for cell broadcast messages created by mobile phone operating system developers, based on international classification.
On iOS phones, the cell broadcast message was received with the name “Presidential Alert” because Apple operating systems do not have a full Latvian language user interface translation, and their names are currently displayed only in English. SFRS or the Information Centre of the Ministry of Interior cannot influence or change this.
On Android devices, message names will be displayed in Latvian only if a Latvian language user interface is available and activated for the device.
Do I need to do anything to receive cell broadcast messages?
Cell broadcast messages do not need to be subscribed to and are free of charge. But to receive them, it's important in the coming months not to ignore or postpone mobile phone software updates, but to perform them.
Why did the reception of the cell broadcast message differ – with sound, without sound, with vibration?
Threats are classified into several types depending on their importance and nature – Red Warning (Presidential Alerts), Orange Warning (Extreme Alerts), Yellow Warning (Severe Alerts), Missing Child (Missing Child Alerts), End of Threat (End of Threat Alerts), and Exercise Warning (Exercise Alerts). Red and orange level warnings will sound with a specific, loud sound, while other level notifications will be played with the phone user's set SMS tone. In parallel with the sound, the phone will vibrate. If the phone received the message without sound or with a weak sound, then the resident needs to ensure in their phone settings that the emergency notification sound is turned on.
Why is the cell broadcast message visible only until "Labi/Ok/X" is pressed?
The cell broadcast message is displayed once because it is an emergency notification aimed at drawing people's attention to an existing or potential threat, as well as urging action. Developers of certain phone models may have provided a message saving function. Cell broadcast messages can be viewed repeatedly on the website www.112.lv and on the websites of institutions that are the developers of this warning, for example, Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, etc.
Do "button" phones also receive messages?
Yes, "button" phone users can also receive cell broadcast messages if the manufacturers of these phones have provided emergency notification functionality.
The importance of EU support in strengthening civil protection
The implementation of the cell broadcast system in Latvia is a vivid example of how important EU funds support is for introducing modern solutions to strengthen national security and citizen protection. Thanks to EU co-financing, Latvia has acquired a tool that significantly improves its ability to effectively warn the public about threats and coordinate actions in crisis situations.
EU support is not limited to the implementation of cell broadcast. It is vitally important in a broader context, promoting the modernization of civil protection systems across the entire EU. This support helps member states invest in new technological solutions, improve infrastructure, and develop coordinated response mechanisms, which are essential to protect citizens from natural disasters, technological accidents, and other threats. EU funding ensures that countries can implement and maintain systems that would otherwise be financially very burdensome, thereby strengthening both national and overall EU resilience to various crises.
Photo: freepic.com
