How smartphone alerts can increase Americans’ safety abroad during times of uncertainty

Today, technology offers a way to increase significantly the chance for the U.S. government to provide important emergency information to Americans abroad. Quite simply, with the advent of smartphones and the ability of mobile service providers to communicate to customers based on their geographic location, it is possible for the U.S. Department of State and other relevant government agencies to send an emergency alert to U.S. subscribers of mobile service providers who are located in the country where the emergency is occurring.

For example, if a Verizon Wireless subscriber is in Country X and there is an earthquake warranting an evacuation, the State Department could request Verizon to push out an emergency alert message to its subscribers located in the affected area with specific evacuation information. In many cases, where location capabilities are available, this also would enable the State Department to tailor its messages, working with the mobile service provider, only to those subscribers affected by the emergency. Receipt of these messages by affected Americans would enable them to take actions that may save lives.

While there are certain practical issues that must be overcome in terms of concerns such as privacy, these could be addressed via an opt-in or opt-out mechanism that the mobile service provider provides, as exists for the mobile wireless alert service that the government administers domestically. In addition, the government would need to provide mobile service providers a transition period to work with local mobile service providers in other countries to implement these services. Unfortunately, in some countries, this capability may not exist yet or the networks may be unreliable. Accordingly, certain limitations on liability would have to be provided to mobile service providers.

Overall, the practical issues associated with implementing such a program are not insurmountable, while the benefits of implementing such a program could be great and result in saved American lives. For once, our government would be able to reach Americans by a direct and efficient manner and provide them guidance on how to get to safety. The possibility of saving American lives during emergencies demands the U.S. government carefully examine the implementation of such a program. Other countries already have used such technology successfully, resulting in saved lives. The United States government should act now to move forward with a global wireless alert service for Americans, wherever they are located.

Jennifer Manner is senior vice president of regulatory affairs for EchoStar Corporation. Prior to this, she served as the Deputy Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. The views expressed in this article are those solely of the author.