Via the Public Warning System (PWS) established by the National Communications Commission (NCC), instant earthquake alerts and Short Message Service (SMS) reports incorporating Central Weather Bureau (CWB) earthquake information are sent to mobile phones free of charge so that citizens can respond immediately and take necessary precautions, the Executive Yuan announced today.
Beginning this May, whenever the CWB detects or forecasts a temblor with a magnitude of 5 or greater, earthquake alerts and SMS reports are sent via the PWS to residents of the affected areas.
The NCC had instructed five fourth-generation telecommunications operators to complete the service settings. When a disaster occurs, in mere seconds the disaster-prevention agency can send out mass warnings to inform the public to take timely responsive actions.