Cell Broadcast is a new official warning channel for population warning. In the event of danger, it offers the possibility of sending a warning message to all users on their mobile devices centrally via the mobile phone provider. The system is in the testing phase and will be tested on a large scale for the first time at the Federal Warning Day on December 8th. Here is an overview of the most important questions and answers about cell broadcast technology.
What exactly is Cell Broadcast?
Standard technology from the mobile phone network is used. All mobile devices automatically register in a radio cell, which is then used to receive network reception. The central distributor of a radio cell can then send warning messages to all mobile devices registered in this cell. These are exclusively text messages. No images or maps will be transferred. This format is theoretically also suitable for older devices.
Cell Broadcast: Announcement SMS is currently being played out
Currently, many users of an SMS-capable mobile device such as a smartphone or cell phone receive an SMS from their mobile provider informing them about the new Cell Broadcast warning channel.
The next nationwide warning day will take place on December 8th, on which all warning systems for disasters and civil protection will be tested. This year, a new warning channel, Cell Broadcast, is being added, which mobile phone users are currently being made aware of and prepared for.

What exactly happens in the event of a warning?
In the event of a disaster, the responsible rescue control center formulates a short warning message and forwards it to all mobile network operators. They then send the warning directly to all cell phones in the affected area via their radio masts in the affected area. The message appears immediately on the cell phone screen and, depending on the importance of the danger message, is also accompanied by an alarm tone.
What is the advantage of Cell Broadcast?
With this warning channel, a warning message can be sent anonymously to those people who are in a specific area affected by a dangerous event and who have a mobile phone device set up and ready to receive. Warning apps such as NINA or KatWarn must first be downloaded and set up by users. This represents a certain barrier, as probably not all users can be reached and encouraged to install. A cell broadcast, on the other hand, is automatically sent to ALL people within the affected radio cell.
The data traffic required for the warning is independent of any increased volume of mobile phone calls because a lot of people want to make phone calls at the same time. Even if mobile telephony is no longer possible in a radio cell due to overload, the independent Cell Broadcast warning channel still works.
The advantages can be summarized as follows:
What is the difference to SMS?
An SMS is a bilateral communication to a specific person whose mobile phone number is known. A warning message sent via an SMS warning system can only reach the recipient if he or she has previously registered by providing a mobile phone number. If several devices are to be reached, several dialing and transmission processes are required in the radio cell, which leads to the well-known “New Year's Eve effect”. This creates a massive time delay between sending and receiving an SMS message.
Cell broadcast, on the other hand, works without prior registration or provision of personal data. The end devices receive a warning message when they are in a potentially dangerous area. The transmission method used uses the reception readiness of a mobile radio terminal in a radio cell of a mobile network. It is therefore an anonymous procedure.
Still in the testing phase on the warning day?
The plan is for the new Cell Broadcast warning channel, which is still in the testing phase, to be sent out for the first time with a test warning of the highest level and to be publicly visible. Several federal authorities work closely with the mobile phone providers and software and device manufacturers active in Germany. Are on board
The Cell Broadcast warning channel is technically very complex. Everyone involved builds the necessary applications in their respective areas, such as the operating systems and technical requirements, systematically coordinates the processes, optimizes and tests them. On December 8th, Cell Broadcast will not yet be able to have its full effect.
The Cell Broadcast warning channel will be activated for the warning bodies in the Federal Modular Warning System (MoWaS) after the end of the test phase at the end of February 2023. Only then can all control centers via MoWaS trigger a warning via cell broadcast.
Which devices can receive cell broadcast?
It is therefore currently not possible to say which devices are specifically suitable for broadcast reception. Many factors play a role here. These include, among others:
Requirements for being warned via your own device
The following requirements must be met:
Can the warnings be suppressed on your own mobile device?
Nope. Cell broadcast reception can theoretically be suppressed depending on the device and operating system used. However, the warning messages with the highest warning level 1 cannot be suppressed.
What about data protection?
Even if one might think that this question is secondary in the event of danger, there is a satisfactory answer. Yes, this warning channel is data protection compliant because it works completely anonymously. The warning is sent to all terminal devices in the warning radio cell that are ready to receive, without the recipients having to reveal a mobile phone number or other personal data in advance or without this being recorded.
What can I do if I don't get a warning message?
If you do not receive a message via Cell Broadcast on December 8th, you should check the following reasons:
Is Cell Broadcast new?
This system is new as a warning channel in the large mix of different options for warning the population. Following the experiences and lessons learned from the 2021 flood disaster, the German federal government has created the legal requirements and obliged mobile network providers to create the technical requirements for cell broadcast and set up the system.
Until then, this technology was used to send sponsored content as push messages, such as weather information or news reports from news sites.
How does warning the population about dangerous situations currently work?
A warning mix of digital and analogue warning channels is currently used. For this purpose, the federal government has developed the modular warning system MoWaS, which it operates and uses together with the states and municipalities. Each authority can therefore independently distribute warning messages for its area and in accordance with its warning task via all connected warning devices. This warning mix includes, for example, radio, TV, the Internet and apps for mobile devices, but also siren alarms.
Warnings via mobile networks have so far been provided via the NINA warning app, which was developed by the federal government. Warning information and recommendations for action can be presented in detail in this format. Cell Broadcast is now a new addition to send warnings to a large number of people easily, quickly, accurately and in a data-efficient manner.
The Federal Warning Day on December 8th
As an exception, the Federal Warning Day will take place in December this year.

It was planned for September, but in order to be able to test Cell Broadcast directly, it was decided to postpone it by three months. More information about the Federal Warning Day can be found at warning-der-bevoelkerung.de/
Source:
Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief , RND , consumer advice center
Already read? A Mimikama fact check: Qatar: Yes, the World Cup stadiums are air-conditioned - but the comparison is flawed!
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

