FI-Alert emergency warning system brings regional alerts to smartphones in Finland
FI-Alert is based on the standardised Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) technology – already in use in several other countries – which allows emergency warnings to be precisely targeted to a specific area, ensuring that people in that location are reached quickly. The service is based on an EU directive.
“Our goal was to have the final service operational before the end of this year,” says Timo Lehtimäki, CEO of Erillisverkot. This goal has been met; starting in November 2026, emergency warnings will be transmitted directly to mobile phones as FI-Alert notifications, in addition to being distributed through existing channels. Lehtimäki expresses his gratitude to everyone at both Erillisverkot and the telecommunications operators who contributed to the execution of this project within such a tight timeframe.
The role of Erillisverkot was to procure the technical solutions and services required to provide the FI-Alert system. Moving forward, Erillisverkot will provide the service to the Ministry of the Interior. The decision to issue a emergency warning is always made by an authority. Erillisverkot is a state-owned special purpose company that provides ICT services to organisations supporting societal security and functionality – specifically for critical communications, situational management, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
“We have extensive experience operating at the core of reliable critical communications and situational awareness. Our capabilities include secure data centers, telecommunications connections, and established, active channels of communication with all network operators and security authorities,” Lehtimäki explains.
Rapid and precisely targeted emergency alerts
“Using CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) technology, messages can be sent rapidly to a large number of people when necessary. Unlike standard SMS, these messages are broadcast simultaneously to all mobile devices located within the affected area, regardless of the user’s network operator. Standard SMS messages are sent sequentially – effectively in a queue – which is slower and can cause system congestion,” Lehtimäki describes.
Sending an emergency alert does not require a subscriber registry or the recipients’ phone numbers. Furthermore, FI-Alert does not require the installation of any apps or user registration; it functions automatically on all 4G and 5G mobile devices. Only the oldest devices – those supporting exclusively 2G or 3G technology – will not receive FI-Alert messages. Efforts will be made to reach users of these devices through other emergency alert channels, such as the 112.fi website, Yle’s online services, radio broadcasts, and the 112 Suomi mobile application.
“The CBS service is particularly well-suited for emergency situations because distributing these messages does not place the same strain on mobile networks or other technical components of the delivery chain as, for example, the mass transmission of targeted SMS messages. Furthermore, CBS messages reach devices in the target area even if they use subscriptions from foreign operators, as the system does not check the country of origin of the SIM card or the subscription,” Lehtimäki explains.
More information is available on the Rescue services website: FI-Alert emergency warnings | Rescue services
