Important public announcement - how it works

An Important public announcement (IPA) can be used when something serious has happened. For example, if a factory has caught fire and toxic smoke is spreading from the blaze, or if there is a risk of an explosion. If the important announcement concerns the area where you are, you should follow the instructions from the authorities.

Here’s how a IPA works

1. An authority or authorized entity contacts SOS Alarm and requests an IPA.
2. SOS Alarm forwards the request to the broadcast control center at Sveriges Radio, which drafts the message itself in collaboration with the party that requested the broadcast.
3. The broadcast control center distributes the message across Sveriges Radio’s channels as well as to participating TV stations.
4. The IPA is also uploaded to a server at Sveriges Radio for automatic distribution to websites and apps.
5. SOS Alarm sends the IPA via text message to cell phones in the affected area.

You can receive IPA alerts in several ways

• Outdoor alert via sirens (only during truly serious incidents)
• via radio and TV
• via text message to your cell phone if it is being used in the affected area
• from Krisinformation.se via the web, app, and social media
• as a notification in the Swedish Radio app SR Play or via the SOS Alarm app 112.
• Via SE-Alert directly to your cell phone using cell broadcast technology.

Learn more about the warning and information systems on the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency´s website

SE-Alert

SE-Alert makes it possible to send out Important public announcements to updated cell phones throughout Sweden in a matter of seconds.

• The message reaches all cell phones in the affected area. The phone must be an updated smartphone.
• The phone emits a sharp signal, vibrates, and a message appears on the screen. In situations that require it, the message can be sent as a silent alert without sound.

Learn more about SE-Alert on the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency´s website