Media Contact: 
Rochelle Cohen, (202) 418-1162
rochelle.cohen@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC PROPOSES ENHANCEMENTS TO 
WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS
  --
WASHINGTON, November 19, 2015 – The Federal Communications Commission today
proposed rules to strengthen Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a system that delivers critical 
warnings and information to Americans on their wireless phones. The proposals are intended to
promote the wider use and effectiveness of this lifesaving service, especially for state and local 
authorities to convey important information to their communities.
Since its launch in 2012, WEA has informed Americans about severe weather, missing children,
and other emergencies via text-like alerts to their wireless phones. Now that the FCC has three 
years’ experience with the service, and in light of stakeholder feedback and technological 
advancements since the FCC adopted technical and procedural requirements for WEA in 2008, 
the agency is seeking comment on potential enhancements. 
In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) adopted today, the Commission proposed changes 
to improve WEA message content, ensure that the messages reach only those people for whom an
alert is relevant, and to establish a WEA testing program that will improve the effectiveness of 
the system for public safety officials and the public. The NPRM includes proposals to:
? Increase the maximum length of WEA messages (from 90 to 360 characters) in order to 
convey more information;
? Enable alerts to contain embedded phone numbers and URLs to improve message quality 
and accessibility;
? Create a new class of WEA alerts (“Emergency Government Information”) as a means of 
sending action-oriented public safety advisories (such as “boil water” messages or 
information on shelter locations during weather emergencies) to communities; 
? Require participating wireless providers to deliver the alerts to more granular geographic 
areas; and
? Make it easier for state and local authorities to test WEA service and train personnel.
The Commission is also seeking comment on a variety of other potential improvements, including 
the technical feasibility of implementing multilingual and multimedia alerting. In addition, the 
Commission is seeking comment on steps it can take to promote Americans’ participation in 
WEA, including options for personalizing the display and receipt of WEA messages.  
Taken together, these proposals are designed to ensure that WEA keeps pace with evolving 
technologies and empowers communities to initiate these lifesaving alerts. 
For more information on Wireless Emergency Alerts, visit www.fcc.gov/guides/wireless-
emergency-alerts-wea.
Action by the Commission November 19, 2015, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 15-
154). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O’Rielly 
approving. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai, and O’Rielly issuing 
statements.
(PS Docket No. 15-91)
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).