NL-Alert to be tested at noon on December 1
The Dutch government will conduct a nationwide test of its NL-Alert warning system at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, sending a loud, distinctive alert sound to mobile phones across the country. The sound that accompanies the test is intentionally piercing to grab attention.
Authorities advise people to remove headphones or earbuds shortly before noon to avoid being startled or experiencing discomfort.
The message will clearly state that it is a test and that no emergency is taking place, according to government officials. The twice-yearly test is performed on the first Mondays in June and December to confirm that the system is functioning properly.
The alert will appear on mobile phones and in the NL-Alert app, and it will also be shown on digital travel information displays in public transportation.
Some people may have gotten the alert more than once. That can happen when a phone is set to repeat warnings or is tuned to both of the NL-Alert broadcast channels used for older and newer devices.
Others did not receive the alert at all. Phones that were switched off, in airplane mode or outside mobile coverage at the time of the test would not have picked it up. Devices still relying on 2G or 3G networks, or those connected to cell towers in Belgium or Germany near the border, may also have been missed.
Most newer mobile phones are already configured to receive NL-Alert messages. Some older devices, however, require users to manually enable the function in their settings.
NL-Alert is used to quickly warn and inform people about emergencies in their immediate area, including major fires, severe weather, natural gas leaks and other life-threatening situations. The system sends a text-based broadcast to mobile phones connected to nearby cell towers, allowing people to take action immediately.
