Wireless public alerting (WPA)

About

Click here to check whether your phone is WPA compatible.

Alert Ready is a service designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving emergency alert messages to Canadians. These alerts are distributed over LTE networks to compatible devices running the latest software.

Important Information

  1. There are many factors that will determine whether you will receive an emergency alert to your WPA-compatible device, including being connected to an LTE network and running the latest software.

  2. Other types of devices certified by a Canadian wireless service provider.
  3. You cannot opt out of receiving threat-to-life emergency alerts.
  4. Alert issuers (Federal, provincial, and territorial governments) determine when an emergency alert will be issued, and to what area. Wireless service providers are simply last-mile distributors; they do not define, manage or interfere with the content/message included in the alerts.
  5. Emergency alerts are not text messages.
  6. Emergency alerts begin with a distinct sound, known as the Canadian Alerting Attention Signal. The sound will generally play at the volume your device is set to and, depending on your device, can override all of your settings. Most devices have multiple setting controls for different features such as ringtone, media, notifications, and system.

Role of wireless service providers

All wireless service providers have the capability to distribute emergency alerts received from alerting authorities directly to their customers’ WPA-compatible wireless devices using Cell Broadcast distribution over LTE networks.

Emergency alerts are only issued by relevant alerting authorities for threat to life situations.

Relevant provincial, territorial, and federal authorities determine the content of an alert and the area in which it should be broadcast. Wireless service providers do not determine the content or the timing of the alert. Wireless service providers also do not determine the distribution area of an alert, nor its duration.

Role of Alert Issuers

Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are responsible for issuing emergency alerts. 

Federally, emergency alerts are issued most frequently by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). ECCC can deliver severe weather alerts such as tornado warnings. It is important to note that federally-issued emergency alerts can reach compatible devices in any part of the country even if the user’s province/territory is not using the alerting system. Each provincial or territorial government decides who will have the authority to issue alerts within their jurisdictions. This might include police forces or various emergency service responders.

These authorities decide what an alert will say and the area where it will be distributed.  An alert can be sent in a relatively small area, or it can be sent across an entire province – or even more broadly. The defined area for an alert is selected by the alerting authorities.

Role of Government Bodies

Wireless Public Alerting (WPA) is one component of Alert Ready, or the National Public Alerting System, which is ultimately overseen by the Government of Canada, through the CRTC and Public Safety Canada.

The Government of Canada, in partnership with provinces and territories and private sector broadcasters and telecommunications companies, sets guidelines, regulations and “rules” under which all other stakeholders will operate.

The CRTC regulates the broadcasting and telecommunications service providers. Public Safety Canada coordinates across federal departments and agencies responsible for national security, as well as with other levels of government.

Provincial and territorial governments decide who will have the authority to issue alerts within their jurisdictions. For example, emergency alerts could be issued by provincial or territorial emergency management offices or in some cases by municipal emergency management offices or local police and fire departments.

Role of Pelmorex Corp

Pelmorex Corp. operates the system that allows alert issuers to send out emergency alerts according to agreed upon technical standards regarding the format of the alert.

The Alert Ready system was developed in partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial emergency management officials, Pelmorex Corp., the broadcast industry, and wireless service providers to ensure you receive emergency alerts immediately and know when to take action to keep you and your family safe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are responsible for issuing emergency alerts.

Federally, emergency alerts are issued most frequently by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Each provincial or territorial government decides who will have the authority to issue alerts within their jurisdictions. For example, emergency alerts could be issued by provincial or territorial emergency management offices or in some cases by municipal emergency management offices or local police and fire departments.

Media companies, including television, radio stations, cable and satellite distributors, as well as websites receive these emergency alerts and relay them to their customers.

As of April 6, 2018, wireless service providers are capable of distributing emergency alerts received from alerting authorities directly to their customers’ compatible wireless devices connected to LTE networks using Cell Broadcast distribution.

The Alert Ready system allows alerting authorities from federal, provincial, and territorial governments to issue a wide range of public safety messages. However, broadcasters and wireless service providers are only required to distribute emergency alerts for situations that pose an immediate threat to life.

Government officials developed and agreed on a specific list of the types of alerts that are considered a threat-to-life and should be distributed immediately, interrupting radio and television broadcasts. These “Broadcast Immediately” emergency alerts have the highest level of severity, urgency and certainty.

For a full list, visit the Alert Types section of the AlertReady.ca.

Wireless service providers will only receive and relay emergency alerts that are issued for threat to life situations.

Emergency alerts distributed on radio, television, and compatible wireless devices all begin with a distinct sound, known as the Canadian Alerting Attention Signal. Emergency alerts sent to WPA-compatible wireless devices will also cause the phone to vibrate. The sound and vibration conveys a sense of urgency and reinforces the alert message. For an example of the Alerting Attention Signal, click here.

On compatible wireless devices, the emergency alert will display an “EMERGENCY ALERT/ALERTE D’URGENCE” banner, followed by information that describes the situation and provides instructions on what actions to take and where to find more information. At the top of each emergency alert, the issuing government agency will be clearly indicated.

Yes, alternate formats can be issued, but not every alerting authority or every device will have the capability to produce alternate formats.

For emergency alerts distributed via compatible wireless devices, emergency alerts may be read to the recipient if their device supports this accessibility feature. The vibration feature that accompanies emergency alerts sent to compatible wireless devices will help to make hearing impaired people aware of the alerts.

Wireless public alerts use an international standard and the broadcast channel that is often called “Presidential Alert” in the United States. Governments and private sector partners have worked with Canadian wireless service providers to use the term “EMERGENCY ALERT / ALERTE D’URGENCE”, as identified in version 2.0 of the National Public Alerting System Common Look and Feel Guidance, published on March 29, 2018. However, some phones pre-dating this guidance, or that were either purchased outside of Canada or manufactured to be compatible with the U.S. Wireless Emergency Alerts system, will use the American international standard and will display “Presidential Alert”, or another non-Canadian headline banner.

The alerting authority determines what areas are affected by an incident, weather or environmental situation, and uses a standard system that will typically correspond with municipal, regional or provincial boundaries. The standardized system will allow participating radio, television, cable and satellite companies to broadcast the emergency alerts that are most relevant to the communities they serve.

Emergency alerts intended for wireless devices are issued to a defined geographic area so that only people physically present in the defined area at the time an emergency alert is issued receive this alert. Compatible wireless devices in the targeted area will receive the emergency alerts within seconds of being issued, provided the phones are powered on and connected to the LTE cellular network.

No. Not all devices are capable of receiving an alert. Wireless service providers are required to distribute alerts following specific requirements that were identified by the CRTC.

In order for a wireless device to be capable of receiving an alert three broad conditions must be met.

The wireless device must be:

  • A wireless public alerting (WPA) compatible device, like a smartphone, capable of connecting to an LTE network (LTE is commonly referred to as “4G LTE”); and
  • Equipped with the latest version of its operating software; and
  • Connected to an LTE cellular network at the time the emergency alert is issued or joins the network while the alert is still active.

It is very important to verify your device’s WPA compatibility with your service provider, and to understand what may impact your ability to receive an alert even if your device is identified as WPA-compatible. If your device was purchased outside of Canada, it may be necessary for you to contact the device manufacturer for additional information for your specific device.

A wireless device that is WPA compatible is:

  • An LTE device; and
  • Has special software embedded in it which allows for alerts sent by alert issuers, via Cell Broadcast, to be received in the standard Alert Ready format.

It is important to note that some devices sold before April 6, 2018, do not have the WPA software already embedded. This is why it is very important that device users install all software updates that are sent on a regular basis to their devices by the manufacturers.

Visit the Wireless section of AlertReady.ca to find a link to the section of your wireless service provider’s website that provides information on compatible devices.

Testing of the emergency alert system is scheduled in advance.

The test schedule for your specific province or territory can be found on AlertReady.ca.

Test alerts are distributed via AM/FM radio, TV, cable TV, and WPA compatible devices. The test alert is intended to validate that the overall alerting system is working as it should. No action is required should you receive the alert on your device.

You cannot opt-out from receiving test alerts.

It is important that you first verify that you did not receive an alert by checking your device’s “notification” folder. In some instances you might not see or notice the alert even though your device has received it. The alert might be “hidden” with other notifications.

If you didn’t receive an alert on your device it is important to do several things, including checking the phone’s WPA compatibility with your service provider, as well as ensuring that you have updated the software. There are many factors that will impact your ability to receive the alert including your location, or whether you are connected to the LTE network at the time of the alert distribution.

Emergency alerts, including test alerts, are sent using cell broadcast technology. Wireless service providers cannot track who received the alert because cell broadcast is one way communication. Your provider will know if the alert was sent from the towers in the affected area, but not that it was received.

No, you cannot opt-out from receiving test alerts.

No. While the emergency alert may look like a text message it is not a text message. An emergency alert will pop up on your screen and have a distinctive look and sound.

Emergency alerts are sent via Cell Broadcast distribution. Cell Broadcast is a mobile technology that allows alerts to be broadcast to all compatible wireless devices within a designated geographical area. Cell Broadcast is designed for simultaneous alert distribution to multiple users in a specified area and is not affected by network congestion because it uses dedicated part of the network, different from that used for traditional voice and data traffic.

Cell Broadcast can be compared to radio broadcast. Radio towers broadcast music to people in defined geographic areas as long as the individuals can pick-up the broadcast signal and have their radios turned on. Similarly, Cell Broadcast messages are distributed to those compatible wireless devices that are within range of cell towers and antennas in the designated area. As long as the device meets required criteria and is connected to an LTE network, it is capable of receiving the alert.

Wireless service providers are required to distribute emergency alerts to compatible smartphones that can access LTE (cellular) networks. Additional devices – such as tablets and wearable accessories (e.g. smartwatches) – may be capable, from a technical perspective, to receive some form of the alert, but it will not necessarily be received on the device in the Alert Ready format. Wireless service providers are not mandated to support these other devices.

For information on compatible wireless devices offered by your wireless service provider, visit the Wireless section of AlertReady.ca.

Emergency alerts will not end or terminate a voice call or data session in progress (except in some circumstances if you are doing a call over Wi-Fi). However, being on a voice call at the time an alert is distributed may impact your ability to receive an alert; this will especially be true in instances where voice calls are placed over non-LTE networks.

If you have an Android device certified by a Canadian wireless service provider, click here.

If you have an Apple device certified by a Canadian wireless service provider, click here.

If you have a device purchased from another country, click here.

If you are on a data session, such as surfing the Internet or using an application such as Facebook or Netflix on your device, your data session will continue but it may be briefly interrupted by the emergency alert appearing on your wireless device screen.

A compatible wireless device that is turned off, or is in Airplane Mode, will not receive an emergency alert. If the emergency alert is still active when the wireless device is powered on, and the user is still in the alert area, the wireless device will then display the alert.

If you have an Android device certified by a Canadian wireless service provider, click here.

If you have an Apple device certified by a Canadian wireless service provider, click here.

If you have a device purchased from another country, click here.

For additional information, refer to your device’s User Manual, or contact your wireless service provider.

If the emergency alert is still active when the compatible wireless device is turned back on, and you are within the emergency alert area, the emergency alert will be displayed. If the emergency alert is no longer active or if you have travelled outside of the alert area, it will not be displayed.

While on Wi-Fi, if the compatible wireless device can still connect with an LTE cellular network, it should receive emergency alerts. If the wireless device cannot connect to to an LTE cellular network (or is set to Wi-Fi only) it will not receive an emergency alert.

Devices that are Wi-Fi only will not receive alerts.

Test alerts will be identified as such. Test alerts are intended to “test” the functionality of the system, and inform consumers of wireless emergency alerts, and do not require the consumer to take steps to secure their safety.

You may be required to acknowledge receipt of the emergency alert in order to allow for your wireless device to resume normal functioning. In the event that you cannot acknowledge the alert, the alert sound and vibration will continue for 8 seconds. Depending on your specific wireless device, additional reminders may occur if you do not acknowledge the alert.

Upon receiving the emergency alert, it is important to take action safely. Stop what you are doing when it is safe to do so and read the emergency alert. Government officials will include, within the emergency alert, the information you need for any action you need to take. This could include but is not limited to: limit unnecessary travel, evacuate the areas, seek shelter, etc.

It is important to take action safely, especially if the emergency alert is received while operating a vehicle. If you are driving, it is important to remain calm and pull over at your earliest opportunity, where it is safe to do so, to view the emergency alert.

Wireless alerts are sent on a specific cellular channel that is separate from normal text and data traffic. While the alerts may look like text messages, they are not text messages and are not billed.

Also, emergency alerts are sent to wireless devices in a specific geographic area and do not require the phone numbers of those devices. As such there is no ability to identify or bill for the alerts that are received.

No. Emergency alerts received on your compatible wireless device are relevant to you and require immediate attention, and government regulations mandate that all compatible wireless devices receive all relevant alerts.

Wireless public alerting can be geotargeted and can be very specific to a limited area of coverage. As a result, if an emergency alert reaches your wireless device, you are located in an area where there is an imminent danger.

In certain situations an alert issuer may choose to send an alert to a broader area. For example, and AMBER Alert may be issued province-wide at the discretion of the relevant alerting authority.

Yes. Emergency alerts are issued to a defined geographic area; only people in the defined area will receive the emergency alerts. If you are travelling and happen to be in another province when an emergency alert is issued, your compatible wireless device will receive the emergency alert within seconds of being issued, provided your phone is powered on and connected to the LTE cellular network.

No. If you are travelling, you will only receive emergency alerts that occur where you are.

Canadians can keep track of emergency alerts occurring in specific areas (e.g. where they or other family members live) through a number of available apps and online services.

Maybe. If the country that you are visiting supports wireless alerting, then you may receive the alert, provided your phone is powered on and WPA compatible.

Canadian wireless service providers are not responsible for alerts that are broadcast outside of Canada.

Emergency alerts are broadcast from cellular towers and antennas within the area specified by the alert issuer. The towers/antennas therefore must be operational to send emergency alerts. If you are in an affected area but your wireless device is unable to connect to any towers/antennas because of the situation, you will not receive the emergency alert on your wireless device.

No. Emergency alerts are sent using Cell Broadcast distribution. Cell Broadcast can only transmit information to your wireless device. This means that no data is being gathered about you, your wireless device or your location when emergency alerts are sent out. This also means that wireless service providers will not be able to determine whether your specific device received the alert.

Android devices certified by a Canadian wireless service provider

Ability to receive an alert: Consumers should check their specific device against their wireless service providers’ list of WPA-compatible devices. If your device is not on the carrier list, it is not WPA compatible.

In addition, consumers should ensure that the SOFTWARE on their WPA-compatible device is kept up to date. Outdated software may affect a device’s ability to receive an alert even if it is WPA-compatible.

Timing of soft-ware updates may also impact whether devices will be WPA-compatible on other wireless service provider’s LTE networks in instances when customers switch providers but bring their own phone.

Connection to LTE network: WPA compatible devices must be connected to an LTE network at the time an alert is distributed. The symbol, usually located in the upper right-hand corner of your device, will help you to identify
what network you are connected to.

However, it is important to understand that even if you’re in an area that has LTE coverage, what you are doing with your device at the time an alert is issued will impact your ability to receive it. For example:

  • If you have set your device to Wi-Fi only, you will not receive an alert.
  • If you are on a voice call at the time of the alert, you may not receive an alert. Voice calls may move your connection to a non-LTE network, like 3G, even if you are in an LTE area.
  • If you are in a location that makes signal reception difficult at the time of the alert, such as an underground garage, you may not receive an alert.

Device settings: The emergency alert will follow user settings:

  • The VOLUME of the alert will be the same volume as that which is set on your phone. Most devices have multiple setting controls for different features such as ringtone, media, notifications, and system. The Canadian Alerting Attention Signal is usually controlled by the Notification setting.
  • If your device is set with a REMINDER feature, this may cause the alert to repeat until you acknowledge it. This feature can be turned off following directions in your device’s User Guide.
  • If your device is set to SILENT or DO NOT DISTURB mode you might not see or notice the alert even though your device has received it. The emergency alert might be listed with other notifications.

Apple devices certified by a Canadian wireless service provider

Ability to receive an alert: Consumers should check their specific device against their wireless service providers list of WPA-compatible devices. If your device is not on the carrier list, it is not WPA compatible.

In addition, consumers should ensure that the software on their WPA-compatible device is kept up to date. Outdated software may affect a device’s ability to receive an alert even if it is WPA compatible.

Timing of soft-ware updates may also impact whether devices will be WPA-compatible on other wireless service provider’s LTE networks in instances when customers switch providers but bring their own phone.

Connection to LTE network: WPA-compatible devices must be connected to an LTE network at the time an alert is distributed. The symbols located in the upper right-hand corner of your device will help you to identify what network you are connected to.

However, it is important to understand that even if you’re in an area that has LTE coverage, what you are doing with your device at the time an alert is issued will impact your ability to receive it. For example:

  • If you have set your device to Wi-Fi only, you will not receive an alert.
  • If you are on a voice call at the time of the alert, you may not receive an alert. Voice calls may move your connection to a non-LTE network, like 3G, even if you are in an LTE area.
  • If you are in a location that makes signal reception difficult at the time of the alert, such as an underground garage, you may not receive an alert.

Device settings: The emergency alert will follow user settings:

  • The VOLUME of the alert will be the same volume as that which is set on your phone. Most devices have multiple setting controls for different features such as ringtone, media, notifications, and system. The Canadian Alerting Attention Signal is usually controlled by the Settings/Sounds & Haptics setting.
  • If your device is set with a REMINDER feature, this may cause the alert to repeat until you acknowledge it. This feature can be turned off following directions in your device’s User Guide.
  • If your device is set to SILENT or DO NOT DISTURB mode, the alert will override the setting. This means that you will receive the alert at whatever user settings you have in place. You might not see or notice the alert even though your device has received it. The alert might be “hidden” with other notifications. You may need to scroll down to see the alert.

Devices purchased from other countries

Each cellular provider in Canada uses its own set of frequencies. Each device supports a different set of frequencies that determine what networks it can connect to. Devices that are certified by a Canadian wireless service provider will be programmed in such a way as to be operational on that Canadian network.

Devices that are acquired in other countries and brought in to Canada – which are referred to as “grey market devices” – may not comply with Canada’s wireless equipment standards. These devices may be on the list of WPA-compatible devices on a wireless service provider’s website without being compatible from the standpoint of software.

Specific to WPA, the device:

  • May not fully support software upgrades;
  • May not be capable of receiving an alert even if it is identified as a model that is WPA-compatible;
  • May not support or display an alert in the correct format, or in the language it is sent.

These situations are fully outside of a service provider’s control.

In cases where you purchased your device outside of Canada, you should verify compatibility with the device manufacturer directly.

RF safety – What the experts say

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)

“Current research indicates that there is no established evidence for health effects from radio waves used in mobile telecommunications. This includes the upcoming roll-out of the 5G network. ARPANSA’s assessment is that 5G is safe.

“The 5G network will initially use similar frequencies as the current mobile phone networks (3G and 4G) which operate at lower microwave frequencies. In the future, 5G will use a higher microwave frequency band, sometimes called ‘millimetre waves’. Higher frequencies do not mean higher exposure levels.

“The millimetre waves that are planned to be used by 5G in the future do not penetrate past the skin… The exposure to radio waves routinely encountered by the general public in the environment is too low to produce significant heating… The overall evidence suggests that the radio waves from mobile phone handsets and other wireless devices are not harmful to the user.”

Read More

Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG)

“The applicable limits and guidelines provided by ICNIRP in 2020 contribute to our confidence that the EMF issue is addressed in a transparent and scientific manner and human protection is ensured.”

Read More

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

“The FDA has completed an updated radiofrequency (RF) exposure risk analysis based on relevant peer-reviewed in vivo (animal) and epidemiological studies… This risk analysis was scoped to assess any possible causal relationship between radiofrequency radiation exposure and the formation of tumors.

“Based on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation, the available epidemiological and cancer incidence data continues to support the Agency’s determinations that there are no quantifiable adverse health effects in humans caused by exposures at or under the current cell phone exposure limits.”

Read More

IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR)

“So long as exposures remain below established guidelines, the research results to date do not support a determination that adverse health effects are associated with RF exposures, including those from 5G systems.”

Read More

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

“New [RF] guidelines have been developed after a thorough review of all relevant scientific literature, scientific workshops and an extensive public consultation process.

“The new guidelines provide better and more detailed exposure guidance in particular for the higher frequency range, above 6 GHz, which is of importance to 5G and future technologies using these higher frequencies… 5G technologies will not be able to cause harm when these new guidelines are adhered to.

“The most important thing is that the fundamental health risk assessment is unchanged. The limits that we had in 1998 are still protective now.”

Read More

Office of Communications (United Kingdom)

“Ofcom has been carrying out radio frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) measurements near mobile phone base stations for many years. These measurements have consistently shown that EMF emissions are well within the internationally agreed levels published in the Guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

“Our measurements also show that the contribution of 5G to the total emissions level observed is currently low – the highest level we observed in the band used for 5G was just 0.04% of the reference levels.”

Read More

OTHER EXPERT STATEMENTS

CANADA

B.C. Centre for Disease Control

“As technology has improved, the RF energy emitted from individual cell phones has decreased. As the cell phone network is enlarged with more antennas installed, cell phones require less power to connect to the network, thereby lowering the user’s exposure to RF waves.

Safety Code 6 limits are in line with the recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which have been adopted by the UK, Europe, and most other countries outside of Canada and the U.S.

“[Safety Code 6] exposure levels have been set at an intensity level below which no observed adverse effects occur from exposures even if encountered daily over a lifetime.”

Health Canada

“Based on the available scientific evidence, there are no health risks from exposures to the low levels of radiofrequency EMF emitted by cell phones and antenna installations.”

Read More

Institut national de santé publique du Québec [translated from French]

“In its  2016 scientific opinion  , the INSPQ came to the following conclusion: “[…] the probability of a health risk [of people living near the antennas is] low or non-existent”. This position, based on current knowledge, is similar to that of the World Health Organization and Health Canada.

There is therefore no need to worry about installing a cellular antenna near a residence.

As for the millimeter waves generated by 5G, they are, generally speaking, more easily blocked by material (vegetation, roof, wall, etc.) compared to lower frequency waves.”

Read More

Public Health Ontario

“At the present time, there is no consistent evidence for adverse human health effects from RF exposures below Canadian limits (Safety Code 6).”

“With proposed 5G technology and the expanded use of wireless technology, exposures to RF may increase, but are expected to remain under Safety Code 6 limits. Similarly to RF, there is no consistent evidence for adverse human health effects from 5G technology. Further research is needed to clarify some findings which at this time do not consistently support clinical effects.”

Read More

INTERNATIONAL

American Cancer Society

“Some people have expressed concern that living, working, or going to school near a cell phone tower might increase the risk of cancer or other health problems. At this time, there is very little evidence to support this idea.”

Read More

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

“Contrary to some claims, there are no established health effects from the radio waves that the 5G network uses… the established science is that there is no clear diagnostic criteria and there is a lack of evidence that exposure to radio waves is the cause. ARPANSA advises those affected to seek individual medical advice on their symptoms from a qualified medical professional.

“ARPANSA and the World Health Organization (WHO) are not aware of any well-conducted scientific investigations where health symptoms were confirmed as a result of radio wave exposure in the everyday environment.”

Read More

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States)

“At this time we do not have the science to link health problems to cell phone use. Scientific studies are underway to determine whether cell phone use may cause health effects. It is also important to consider the benefits of cell phones. Their use can be valuable in an urgent or emergency situation – and even save lives.”

Read More

European Commission

“The existing scientific evidence on electromagnetic field exposure confirms that 5G networks will not cause more electromagnetic emissions than it is allowed. This means that 5G will not have a negative effect on people’s health.”

Read More

Federal Communications Commission (United States)

“In recent years, publicity, speculation, and concern over claims of possible health effects due to RF emissions from hand-held wireless telephones prompted various research programs to investigate whether there is any risk to users of these devices There is no scientific evidence to date that proves that wireless phone usage can lead to cancer or a variety of other health effects, including headaches, dizziness or memory loss.”

Read More

“The FCC sets radiofrequency limits in close consultation with the FDA and other health agencies. After a thorough review of the record and consultation with these agencies, we find it appropriate to maintain the existing radiofrequency limits, which are among the most stringent in the world for cell phones.”

Read More

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection

”It is the opinion of ICNIRP that the scientific literature published since the 1998 guidelines has provided no evidence of any adverse effects below the basic restrictions and does not necessitate an immediate revision of its guidance on limiting exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields.”

Read More

National Cancer Institute

“[Cell phone radiofrequencies] all fall in the nonionizing range of the spectrum, which is low frequency and low energy. The energy is too low to damage DNA.”

Read More

Public Health England (formerly Health Protection Agency)

“The evidence suggests that RF field exposure below guideline levels does not cause acute symptoms in humans, and that people, including those who report being sensitive to RF fields, cannot detect the presence of RF fields. Similarly, well-conducted studies do not suggest that exposure to RF fields gives rise to acute cognitive effects.

“Taken together, these studies provide no evidence of health effects of RF field exposures below internationally accepted guideline levels. In particular, well-performed large-scale studies have found no evidence that RF fields affect the initiation and development of cancer, and there has been no consistent evidence of effects on the brain, nervous system or the blood-brain barrier, on auditory function, or on fertility and reproduction.

“In summary, although a substantial amount of research has been conducted in this area, there is no convincing evidence that RF field exposure below guideline levels causes health effects in adults or children.”

Read More

World Health Organization

“To date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies.”

Read More

Using your mobile phone in an emergency

In an emergency, your mobile phone can be a lifeline. Knowing how your device works and the bets way to reach out for help can safe your life or the lives of others.

Calling 9-1-1

In most parts of the country, your mobile phone number and approximate location will be forwarded automatically through the 9-1-1 network to the 9-1-1 operator. However, it is important to allow the operator to confirm your number and identify your precise location or the precise location of the emergency.

When you call 9-1-1, you should give your complete 10-digit phone number to the 9-1-1 operator. This is important because the operator may have to call you back if the call is disconnected.

In addition, tell the operator as best you can exactly where you are. Remember: your mobile phone can be used anywhere service is available. Only you can provide your precise location or the location of the emergency.

If you are driving, stop your vehicle if it is safe to do so and look for street signs, addresses or landmarks. If you are driving on a highway, try to provide the highway number, our direction of travel and look for exit numbers or major buildings.

Not all local governments in Canada operate 9-1-1 systems. Wireless carriers endeavour to route 9-1-1 calls to an appropriate call-taking agency (the local police department, for example) in areas where no 9-1-1 service exists. However, if you routinely use your mobile phone in areas where a 9-1-1 system does not exist, you should know the phone numbers for local police, fire, and ambulance services.

You should call 9-1-1 in situations where the safety of people or property is at risk. Examples of 9-1-1 emergencies include: fire, a crime in progress, or a medical emergency. Please direct non-emergency calls to the appropriate resource so that 9-1-1 call takers can devote all of their attention to responding to true emergencies. Remember: in an emergency situation, a few wasted seconds can be a matter of life or death.

Remain calm and speak clearly. Identify which emergency services you require — police, fire, or ambulance — and be prepared to provide the following information:

  • What is your 10-digit phone number?
  • What is the location of the emergency?
  • What is the emergency?

Please remain on the line to provide additional information if requested by the call taker. Do not hang up until the operator advises you to do so.

After hanging up, leave your mobile phone turned on in case the operator must call you back.

Most mobile phones can send text messages but remember that you cannot send text messages to 9-1-1.

During a large-scale emergency such as a natural disaster, voice networks can become congested or overloaded with an influx of mobile voice calls. This can result in individuals not being able to speak with the people they want to contact, such as friends or loved ones. In some more rare instances, congestion on the voice network can also hinder communications among emergency service personnel.

Text messages, however, use less network capacity that normal mobile voice calls and can be more reliable for brief communication with friends or loved ones during emergencies. Therefore, even if a network is congested with voice calls, a text message to a friend or loved one may have a higher likelihood of getting through sooner than a voice call. And equally as important, by texting during an emergency, you are freeing up the voice lines for emergency officials to use.

Unintentional emergency calls from mobile phones can occur if you accidentally press a speed-dial key that has been pre-programmed to call 9-1-1. In some instances, you may not even be aware that the emergency key has been pressed. Check your phone’s manual or contact your retail dealer to ensure any pre-programmed emergency numbers have been disabled. In parts of the country, it is illegal to pre-program 9-1-1 into speed-dial.

  • Do not allow children to play with cell phones.
  • Lock keypads using the keypad lock feature. Choosing to lock your device’s screen and/or keyboard can reduce the chances of placing unwanted calls to 9-1-1 or other parties.
  • Parents, especially, have a responsibility to ensure young people are familiar with how their cell phones work and the importance of using their cell phones responsibly at all times.
  • Contact your wireless device manufacturer or service provider if you have any questions about how your device works and if there are any further steps you can take to prevent accidental calls.
  • If you discover that you have accidentally called 9-1-1, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the operator the call was placed in error. This will allow the operator to devote his or her time to assisting others with true emergencies, rather than waste time calling you back to confirm the call was placed in error.
  • Remove batteries from deactivated phones that can access wireless networks to prevent accidental calls to 9-1-1.