Sweden is set to launch a cutting-edge emergency warning system, SE Alert, aiming to overcome the limitations of traditional SMS alerts and ensure faster communication with the public during critical incidents. The new technology, expected to be operational within a year, will use cell broadcast technology to deliver messages directly to mobile phones, bypassing the overloaded mobile networks that have hindered past warning efforts.
Why Sweden is replacing SMS alerts with SE Alert
Current emergency alerts, known as Viktigt Meddelande till Allmänheten (VMA, Important Message to the Public), can be sent via SMS, TV, radio, or, in severe cases, through the outdoor warning siren known as Hesa Fredrik. However, the SMS-based system has faced criticism due to delays and failures caused by network congestion.
“The problem with the technology that exists today is that it doesn’t work well enough, because it simply becomes too congested in the mobile network,” said Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defence.
The fire at Oceana in Göteborg in 2023 starkly highlighted the issue: only 40,000 residents received the initial SMS urging them to stay indoors due to hazardous smoke. Overloaded networks failed to deliver timely warnings, prompting public concern and governmental action.
Cell broadcast technology: a more resilient alternative
Unlike SMS, SE Alert leverages cell broadcast technology, which allows mass messages to be sent rapidly without relying on the capacity of mobile networks. This technology is already used in several countries and enables swift, location-specific warnings.
“It’s a technology that allows us to send mass messages without delay to mobile phones, and it can be done regionally as well as nationally very, very quickly,” Bohlin explained. The system is expected to reach up to 95% of Sweden’s population.
Learning from global crises and planning ahead
The Swedish Government cited lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where authorities deployed multi-channel warning systems to maximize reach. Inspired by this approach, Sweden aims to build redundancy into its emergency communications.
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap, MSB) and the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (Post- och Telestyrelsen, PTS) have been tasked with implementing SE Alert. According to the government’s timeline, MSB will report back by January 2026, though the aim is to have the system in place earlier.
Importantly, SE Alert will not replace the existing VMA system but will serve as an additional layer, enhancing the country’s ability to inform the public swiftly and efficiently during emergencies.
Sweden prioritizes public safety through digital innovation
With SE Alert, Sweden is embracing advanced digital infrastructure to better protect its citizens. As climate-related disasters, industrial accidents, and geopolitical risks increase, the government’s proactive move underscores its commitment to a modern, resilient civil defense framework.
The successful rollout of SE Alert could position Sweden among the global leaders in emergency communication, setting a precedent for other nations seeking to improve their own systems.
