Safety
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
WEA is a public safety notification system that enables authorized agencies to send text-like messages to consumers with capable wireless devices to alert them of emergencies in their area. Wireless carrier participation in WEA is voluntary.
Notice regarding transmission of Wireless Emergency Alerts (Commercial Mobile Alert Service)
T-Mobile has chosen to offer wireless emergency alerts within portions of its service area, as defined by the terms and conditions of its service agreement, on wireless emergency alert capable devices. There is no additional charge for these wireless emergency alerts.
Wireless emergency alerts may not be available on all devices or outside of the T-Mobile service area. For details on the availability of this service and wireless emergency alert capable devices, please ask a sales representative, review the Frequently Asked Questions below, or click our list of alert-capable devices.
Notice required by FCC Rule 47 C.F.R. §10.240 (Commercial Mobile Alert Service).
Frequently Asked Questions
WEA alerts the public about critical emergencies such as wildfires and hurricanes, major highway accidents, university campus lockdowns, and child abductions. Alerts are issued by, among others, the National Weather Service, state and local authorities, and the president of the United States.
There are three specific types.
There are three specific types.
1. Presidential Alerts 2. Imminent Threats to Life and Property Alerts 3. AMBER Alerts
Alerts are geographically targeted, so only customers currently in the threat area should receive them. For example: If an alert is sent in New York, a customer with a capable device who lives in that area will not receive the alert if they are in Chicago at the time the alert is sent. Similarly, someone with a capable device visiting New York from Chicago when the alert is sent would receive the alert.
Devices generally fall into three categories: (i) WEA-capable devices, which receive WEA messages and allow users to click on any included links for additional information; (ii) devices that receive WEA messages but do not have the functionality for users to click on any included links; and (iii) devices that cannot display a WEA message. For a list of T-Mobile devices that receive alerts, click here.
We continue to add models to this list. Some T-Mobile devices will require a software update to add the functionality for users to click on links in the WEA messages. Make sure to download the software updates sent to your device.
No. Alerts are broadcast to all WEA-capable phones in a specific area of the network. This process does not rely on the phone’s GPS.
Alerts will be sent to any new customers entering the affected area approximately every 5 minutes until the alert expires. So, if you travel into an affected area after the original alert is sent, you should still receive an alert (unless it has expired). Your device will only display the alert once.
Yes. Customers do not pay to receive WEA alerts.
No. T-Mobile customers with devices designed to receive WEA messages are automatically signed up.
Partially. You can block alerts involving imminent threats to safety, AMBER Alerts, and/or Public Safety messages but, you cannot block emergency alerts issued by the President of the United States. See the user manual for your device for instructions.
WEA alerts appear much like a text message and are accompanied by a unique audible signal and vibration. Alerts will be short, easy to read, and contain basic information. They may also include a link to an internet web page with more information, if provided by the public service agency sending the alert.
Yes. You can receive alerts on a prepaid phone as long as your device is alert-capable.
For more information, visit the FCC website at www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-emergency-alerts-wea.