SENDING SIMULTANEOUS text messages to thousands of people in a particular area would be a vital warning system in an emergency, according to an Oireachtas report.
The Joint Committee on Communications yesterday unveiled details of its proposals to use SMS, or text, messages as an early warning system to alert people about natural disasters, extreme weather events and unpredictable catastrophes.
Simon Coveney of Fine Gael, the committee’s rapporteur on the issue, began working on the report last Easter. The report is a response to the extensive flooding which caused many millions of euro worth of damage last November.
It was launched in Leinster House yesterday by committee chairman, MJ Nolan (Fianna Fáil) and other committee members.
The installation of such a system would cost €4 million-€5 million in capital costs and would also entail ongoing current costs, as yet unspecified. Mr Coveney said the cost would have to be closely scrutinised. He added that the cost could be levied on network operators and insurance companies and should not be borne by the taxpayer.
The report examines whether or not mobile text messages can be used as an effective means of providing advance notice to the public and emergency services about unanticipated events.
The report concludes that such a system would be beneficial but flags potential obstacles involving technology and cost.
The existing mobile network does not have the capacity to allow cell broadcasts, which would allow thousands of text messages be sent to subscribers in a particular area. The report acknowledged that gearing networks to accommodate this technology for such large bursts in traffic would be costly.
It also said that the fact texts are restricted to 160 characters limits their capability. The system could be used to complement other forms of early warning communication, such as radio, TV and personal contact. Mr Coveney, Labour TD Liz McManus, and Senator Joe O’Toole pointed out the high penetration of mobile phones in Ireland and said it would be effective at times when people were not accessing other media, such as late at night or in the early hours of morning.
“There will be a capital cost but it will be minuscule compared to the savings involved,” said Mr Coveney.