Act on Emergency Warnings amended to add new channel: emergency warnings to be sent directly to mobile phones

In future, emergency warnings will also be sent directly to mobile phones through the mobile network in the affected area. In August, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend sections 5 and 7 of the Act on Emergency Warnings. The amendments required to introduce the new warning channel have now been made to the Act. The Government submitted the bill for approval on Thursday 15 October, and the President of the Republic is expected to approve it on Friday. The Act will enter into force on 1 November 2026.

The changed security situation has highlighted the need to further improve the authorities’ ability to reach the public and to make the warning system faster, particularly during emergency conditions. The legislative amendments help implement the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government, which includes a commitment to reform the emergency warning system.

FI-Alert to complement Finland’s existing emergency warning channels

In future, the public will also receive emergency warnings through a cell broadcast system. The new system is called FI-Alert. It will complement Finland’s existing multi-channel public warning system.

Currently, the public can receive emergency warnings on smartphones through the 112 Suomi app or the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app. Emergency warnings are also broadcast on radio and television, displayed on teletext page 112, and published on the 112.fi and yle.fi websites. In addition, authorities may use public warning sirens to sound the public warning signal.

From November 2026, emergency warnings will also be delivered directly to mobile phones through FI-Alert, in addition to the existing channels. FI-Alert will allow the authorities to send emergency warnings almost instantly to mobile phones in a specific geographical area.

Inquiries:
Sari Rapinoja, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 404, [email protected].