Cell Broadcast public warning service temporarily suspended

The Cell Broadcast public warning service has been temporarily suspended following an advisory from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), officials confirmed.

The suspension, announced, is a precautionary measure and will remain in place until further notice. The Cell Broadcast system serves as a critical mechanism for disseminating emergency alerts and disaster information to mobile users in affected areas.

Authorities have not disclosed specific reasons for the suspension but stated that technical or procedural reviews may be in progress in coordination with relevant agencies. The CB service is extensively used to issue real-time alerts during natural disasters, security incidents and other emergencies, facilitating rapid information delivery without dependence on conventional mobile networks or internet connectivity.

Officials indicated that updates regarding the restoration of the service would be provided in due course, based on further directions from the NDMA. The suspension is expected to be temporary while the system’s functionality and operational protocols undergo review to ensure effective and secure future use.

Developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in close collaboration with the NDMA and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the CBS allows authorities to broadcast emergency alerts simultaneously to mobile users within specific geographic locations.

According to the Ministry of Communications, the system enables near real-time, geo-targeted alerts to reach millions of users instantly, ensuring no individual in affected areas is left out during critical situations. It overcomes limitations of traditional SMS-based alert systems, which often suffer delays or disruptions during periods of high network congestion.

Officials noted that the system is engineered to operate effectively even under heavy network loads, enhancing reliability during emergencies when communication networks are typically strained. Alerts appear as priority pop-up notifications on mobile screens with loud tones, and in some devices, alerts are also read aloud to support accessibility. The News Mill