Radio: Always on. Always there.
Where do most American's turn in times of disaster?
Whether it's a hurricane, tornado, brutal snowstorm or simply a power outage, radio is a lifeline in times of emergency – connecting you to the information you need to stay safe. A battery-operated radio is sometimes the only source of information for Americans in times of crisis.
In fact, since the 1950s, radio and television broadcasters have been the backbone of the public warning system and remain so today, providing emergency alerts, live coverage during emergencies, and information on storm paths and evacuation routes.
Mobile networks are built on the assumption that only a percentage of users will be on the network at one time. Radio's ability to broadcast to everyone at the same time and stay "on air" even in times of extreme crisis make it the perfect complement to cell phones.
The nation's largest wireless companies and federal officials recently announced the launch of a new mobile telephone emergency alert system. The Personalized Alerting Network (PLAN) would send out geographically-targeted text messages alerting customers to threats to safety. But, if a cellular network goes down, customers will be unable to access the 90-character warnings.
If your cell phone were equipped with a radio receiver, you could get instantaneous emergency alerts wherever you are. Even when cell phone networks are down, radio works, so a clogged network will not impede the delivery of important information, as many experienced on September 11 and during Hurricane Katrina.
For less than the cost of a candy bar, components can be added to mobile phones to ensure consumers have access to lifesaving information, even on the go.
Learn more about how to get past the gatekeepers and ensure your phone is radio ready.
