Einstein Wireless launches cellular alert system

Little Chute, Wis. - Einstein Wireless, a Wisconsin-based wireless carrier, has launched a broadcast system that will alert subscribers via cell phone about natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other life-threatening emergencies.

The implementation, the first of its kind in the United States, will use Einstein's GSM network, which is capable of transmitting emergency alerts across most of Wisconsin, and notification equipment from the Houston-based CellCast Technologies.

With support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Einstein and CellCast have been testing cell broadcast capability. The Warnings, Alerts, and Response Network (WARN) Act required the federal government to expand the methods for transmitting emergency alert messages beyond audio alerts delivered on radio and television.

John Altamura, president of Einstein Wireless, said the technology is designed to reach a greater percentage of the population in a timely way, improve emergency response times, and enable geographic-specific alerts.

“We are looking forward to working with local universities, corporations, and the community to improve emergency response times and our overall security,” he said. Related story

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