According to News.com, on Thursday the Federal Communications Commission announced that they had approved a new nationwide alert system plan in which cell phone users will receive text message alerts in the event of national emergencies.  The FCC will be appointing a federal agency who will create the messages and will send them to cell phone carriers in the event of a national emergency. Once the agency is named, cell phone companies will have 10 months to fulfill the new system requirements. The text messages would be sent out in emergencies such as a disaster that could endanger the health and safety of Americans (such as a terrorist attack), natural disasters (such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes), and Amber Alerts.

According to CNN, AT&T has stated, “While we obviously need to review the details of the FCC's decision, we look forward to offering mobile emergency alerts to our customers,” and a Sprint representative also said that “the company would participate if the FCC adopted the plan exactly as it was recommended by an advisory group.” Other carriers, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and Nextel that they would approve the alert system if it was passed by the FCC.

Subscribers would, however, be able to opt out of receiving the texts, and carriers would have to provide vibration and audio ringers with a distinct sound for people with disabilities. I am personally entirely for this new plan. Emergency alerts are really hard to find (unless you drive all day, are able to listen to the radio, sit in front of a T.V. all day, or frequently check your MySpace throughout the day), and something like this could help save lives. Think about it; where is your cell phone RIGHT now? Chances are it’s in your purse that you have with you, right beside you on your desk, or in your pocket. How easy is that? And if you don’t want to be bothered with the information, you can opt out of it. Convenience and safety all together? What more could you ask for?