This section provides the answers to the frequently asked questions on IT-alert, updated on 7 November 2023
IT-alert is the public alert system that Italy is currently developing. IT-alert is currently in the testing phase. When operational, it will allow the distribution of public alerts to the mobile devices of people in areas affected by imminent or ongoing major emergencies or disasters. IT-alert will complement the information and communication tools already in place and used by institutions to inform the population.
IT-alert messages are supported by cell-broadcast technology, a one-way, wide-ranging communication mode of short text messages provided in today's mobile phone networks. Thanks to this technology, IT-alert messages can be sent within a group of geographically close telephone cells, bounding an area as close as possible to the area affected by the event, either expected or in progress.
To receive an IT-alert message, the device must be switched on, charged, have phone connection and be in the affected area.
The cell-broadcast also works in cases of limited connection or telephone band saturation.
Alarm and video surveillance systems, usually do not have cell-broadcast technology and therefore do not receive IT-alert messages, even if they are equipped with sim cards. The cell-broadcast functionality, in fact, is implemented on the telephone devices and not on the sim cards installed on them.
No, IT-alert is not an SMS.
IT-alert uses broadcast propagation. The great advantage of this technology is that it works also when the network is congested. Mobile phone transmission is free and anonymous: you do not need to register and your number remains unknown. There are therefore no privacy implications because no personal data is collected.
When the IT-alert notification reaches the device, it temporarily blocks all other functions of the mobile phone. To bring the device back to normal use, it is necessary to tap on the notification and confirm the receipt.
According to the device and operating system version you have, the IT-alert message should remain recorded in the emergency alert notification list and can be searched on devices by typing "emergency alert or alert".
No.
No, to receive the IT-alert message you do not need to download any app.
No, you do not need to register online to receive the IT-alert message .
Yes, if the device is on and has signal. If the cell phone is silent, however, the arrival of the IT-alert message may not be signaled through the specific sound.
No, to receive the IT-alert message, the device must be on and have signal.
No, to receive the IT-alert message, the device must be on and have signal.
No, to receive the IT-alert message, the device must be on and have signal.
No, it is necessary to have signal to receive the IT-alert message.
No, it is not possible to reply to the IT-alert message.
Depending on the type and implementation, you may receive IT-alert on your smartwatch if it is connected to your main device or if it is equipped with a micro sim.
Depending on the type and implementation, you may receive IT-alert on your tablet if it is connected to your main device or if it is equipped with a micro sim.
No, it is not possible to receive IT-alert on your PC.
No, it is not necessary to have geolocation active to receive IT-alert message.
The tests carried out at regional level since June 2023 are specifically intended to verify also possible errors in sending/receiving IT-alert message. In case you are in a test area with your device switched on and with a telephone connection and have not received the IT-alert message, please fill out the questionnaire on the homepage.
For more information you can call our Contact Center at the tool-free number 800 840 840.
To receive IT-alert message, including test messages, you do not have to do anything with your smartphone. Also in the event that the IT-alert item - located in the different devices in the section containing the emergency alerts - should be disabled, the messages both during tests and when the system is operational will still arrive on the devices as the highest level of priority for sending will be used.
If you receive an IT-alert message during the test activity, you do not have to do nothing specific, only fill out the questionnaire to provide us with relevant information to implement the system.
The message will arrive on the devices, switched on and connected, located in the areas involved in the test activities. A limit of the cell-broadcast technology used to send IT-alert messages is the lack of a perfect overlap between the area estimated to be potentially affected by the emergency and the area covered by the telephone operators' antennas used to send messages. This means that there will be devices present in areas outside the region covered by the tests that could receive an IT-alert message. So, for example, although the test area is Tuscany, it is possible that messages will also arrive on devices in Liguria, Lazio or other neighbouring regions. Due to system limitations, it may also happen that devices present in areas affected by the test do not receive the message.
The approximate time for carrying out the tests is noon. On devices present in areas affected by the tests but temporarily out of signal.
The reasons you received the test message later than announced may be different, for example:
- You were using flight mode on the phone or the device was turned off.
- You were temporarily out of the affected area but accessed it slightly later.
If you did not receive the IT-alert message during the test phase and you were in an affected area, please inform us by filling out the questionnaire on this website to allow the implementation of the system.
For more information you can call our Contact Center at the tool-free number 800 840 840.
Currently, IT-alert is still in the test phase. When operational, the events in the field of civil protection that have been, at the moment, envisaged by the Directive of February 7, 2023 for the purpose of using IT-Alert are the following:
- tsunami generated by an earthquake;
- collapse of a large dam;
- volcanic activity, relative to the volcanoes of Vesuvius, Phlegraean Fields, Vulcano and Stromboli;
- nuclear accidents or radiological emergency situation;
- major accidents in establishments subject to Legislative Decree No. 105 of June 26, 2015 (Seveso Directive);
- intense precipitation.
No, IT-alerts will not provide indications of weather conditions. For weather, hydraulic and hydrogeological civil protection alerts (yellow, orange and red alerts), it has already been possible to consult bulletins issued daily by the National Warning System and available at https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/en/meteo-hydro/alert/ and on regional websites. IT-alert, when operational, will allow the delivery of public alerts that will arrive on the mobile devices of people in an area affected by imminent or ongoing major emergencies or calamitous events.
If during the test phase you receive an IT-alert message while you are driving, if there is someone with you ask them to view the message for you. In the event, however, that you are driving alone, do not interact with your smartphone; when you are able to stop safely and confirm the receipt by clicking on the message.
Should you receive an IT-alert message once the system will be operational while you are driving, if someone is traveling with you ask/ask them to view the message. In the event, however, that you are traveling alone, turn on a radio channel to follow the directions provided to be safe, and stop safely as soon as you can to see the message.
For reports of technical problems or false alarms related to the exercise, you can fill out the online questionnaire at www.it-alert.it. Otherwise, you can report it to the Civil Protection Department, coordinating, together with the mobile operators, the activities on the technological infrastructure, through the following online form: https://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/dipartimento/contact-center/scrivi-al-contact-center/
Yes, it is possible to disable the receipt of notifications. This choice, however, has no implications on the reception of IT-alert messages at this stage, since the highest level of priority for sending notifications is used, which is independent from the notification setting.
No, IT-alert does not entail any impairment of privacy levels.
The IT-alert message will arrive on all the devices in the area covered by the phone network. You cannot receive the IT-alert message if the device has no service, even if there should be wi-fi connection.
If you are in the area covered by the tests or by the possible emergency when IT-alert will be operational, the alert message should arrive provided the device is turned on and has phone connection.
However, all public alert systems suffer from limitations related to available technological capabilities too: it may happen that a message addressed to a specific area is received on devices also present in a different area, not affected by the event, or, otherwise, it may happen that a device present in the affected area does not receive the message.
No, it should be always reminded that the IT-alert message will not be the only information system, but will complement those already in use, even and especially at the local level, in different emergency situations.
Yes, they can hear messages as long as message reading is set in the accessibility settings. It is also possible to confirm the listening through voice command.
Tests have found that older generation and non-smartphone phones also receive the IT-alert notification. In this case, to fill out the survey you will need to access www.it-alert.gov.it from another device provided with Internet connection.