In every corner of the world, public authorities face a rising curve of natural and human-made hazards. Climate change is amplifying extreme weather events, while urban density is increasing the number of people exposed to risk. Serbia knows the cost of disasters all too well. The 2014 Balkan floods alone caused 51 deaths and more than €1.7 billion in damage, becoming the country’s worst natural disaster in over a century. Since then, record-breaking heatwaves, rising wildfire risks and recurring earthquakes have only reinforced a simple truth: when danger strikes, delivering clear, timely information can save lives.
One factor stands out as a universal constant: almost everyone today carries a mobile device. In Serbia, this is even more pronounced. GSMA Intelligence data indicates that mobile connections in the country were equivalent to 127 percent of the population in October of this year, meaning many people own more than one device or SIM card. This reality has reshaped how countries think about public warning systems (PWS) and has placed telecom operators at the centre of national resilience strategies.
Today, telecom networks are critical safety assets. International bodies such as the GSMA and the United Nations are pushing this reality forward through initiatives like “Early Warnings for All” (EW4ALL). In Europe, Article 110 of the European Electronic Communications Code now mandates that every Member State deploy a system capable of sending alerts directly to mobile devices for imminent or ongoing emergencies. The question is no longer whether telecoms should contribute to public safety, but how they can do so in the most effective, reliable and secure way.
Modern public warning systems rely on two primary mobile-based technologies: Cell Broadcast (CB) and Location-Based SMS (LB-SMS). Each plays a distinct role in national emergency strategies.
Cell Broadcast (CB) works like a radio transmission inside the mobile network. Instead of targeting specific phone numbers, it sends a message to all devices connected to selected cells. Its strengths are speed and reach: messages arrive almost instantaneously, even in congested networks, and can be delivered to millions of people at once without degradation. This makes CB the preferred choice for sudden, large-scale emergencies: earthquakes, tsunamis, industrial explosions or any situation requiring immediate mass notification.
Location-Based SMS (LB-SMS) uses a device’s presence in a defined geographical area to deliver targeted text messages. While SMS is slightly slower and requires more network resources, it offers powerful advantages: greater contextualization, the ability to tailor messages for different groups, and valuable analytical insight. LB-SMS is ideal for evolving crises, smaller areas or instructions that need to be updated as situations change.
Both technologies are fully GDPR compliant. At Intersec, CB and LB-SMS solutions are designed so that personal data is never shared with public authorities. The system identifies where devices at risk are located at a specific moment, not who the individuals are. This distinction is essential for public trust and for ensuring that warning systems remain both effective and respectful of privacy.
After years of supporting European countries in deploying and operating PWS technologies, Intersec has compiled several best practices to help authorities make the most of their alerting systems.
The next major evolution in PWS is being driven by artificial intelligence. In practice, AI helps address one of the most human challenges in alerting: the fear of pressing “Send.”
Emergency operators work under extreme pressure. Triggering a public warning can have major societal consequences. They ask themselves: Am I using the right technology? Is this message clear enough? Should I switch from SMS to CB as the fire spreads? Will isolated individuals receive the instructions? Should this be translated or turned into audio?
This hesitation is normal, and precisely where AI can help. Trained on real-world incidents and operational guidelines, AI tools can provide operators with instant, context-aware recommendations. They can assist in drafting messages, automatically translate them into local languages, convert text into voice for people who cannot read, or suggest the best alerting channel based on the nature and progression of the incident. AI does not replace human decisions; it strengthens them, helping operators act with greater confidence, speed and consistency.
Public warning systems are ultimately about delivering the right information to the right people at the right time. Telecom operators, working hand in hand with governments and technology partners such as Intersec, make that mission possible.
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