Cell broadcast emergency alert technology could start operating in Latvia as early as September, according to the head of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), Mārtiņš Baltmanis, in an interview with TV3.
Baltmanis explained that system testing took place in March, and the handover is planned for April, but full operation might begin in September. The delay is due to ongoing negotiations with technology companies Apple and Google about incorporating necessary updates into smartphone operating systems.
The VUGD chief emphasized that the implementation of cell broadcast will mainly happen through updates on mobile phones.
Meanwhile, the “112” mobile app will also receive upgrades, including features such as information on the nearest shelters and navigation on how to reach them.
As previously reported, last year the Ministry of the Interior’s Information Centre signed a contract with the procurement winner, SIA “Meditec,” to enhance the early warning system with cell broadcast functionality.
The new system is being developed using existing mobile operator infrastructure. Alerting equipment will be installed within this network and will receive signals from a central hub when a message needs to be broadcast.
Mobile phones operating on any mobile network generation will be able to receive these alerts. Messages will reach all phones within a cell broadcast area, regardless of subscription status — including tourists, migrant workers, students, and other temporary residents in Latvia. Once the technology is operational, the public will be informed about compatible mobile phone models.
The project includes IT infrastructure modernization, with new servers and technical equipment being added. Thanks to its centralized architecture, the cell broadcast system will provide enhanced protection against cyberattacks by limiting access and preventing unauthorized message transmission.
Early warning alerts will appear on mobile phones in a dedicated format with a distinctive sound. These messages cannot be modified or forwarded to other devices. Unlike regular SMS, emails, or social media messages, cell broadcast alerts are built-in as a separate functionality. Once implemented, example messages will be published, and an awareness campaign will be launched to help the public recognize them.
The total budget for the project is 3.2 million euros, of which 2.7 million is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the remaining 500 000 euros comes from the state budget.
The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved the Ministry of the Interior’s proposal to improve the early warning system in April 2021. Originally, the system was scheduled to go live in the second half of 2024, but the implementation has been delayed.