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BRIEF: Some wireless customers got storm alerts this morning
[February 08, 2013]

BRIEF: Some wireless customers got storm alerts this morning


Feb 08, 2013 (Portland Press Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Some Northeast wireless customers received an alert on their phone about the pending storm that could dump about two feet of snow on the region starting Friday.



The alert system, called the Wireless Emergency Alert system, allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service to deliver warning messages to wireless subscribers.

The technology was put in place last year, but not every carrier has rolled it out in every market. Some older devices also don't support the alerts.


The weather alerts, which can emit a sound or vibration on a wireless phone, are free. The system can also send alerts for missing children.

Some Verizon Wireless customers received alerts on Friday morning. Carriers did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

This story will be updated.

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