Radio-Ready Cell Phone Showcase to open at NAB Show
NAB and GSS demonstrate benefits of radio in emergency situations
Las Vegas, Nevada- April 8, 2011- The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Global Security Systems, LLC (GSS) will open the Radio-Ready Cell Phone Showcase Monday at the 2011 NAB show. The showcase will feature new avenues for radio in cell phones and other fixed and mobile electronic devices.
“The Radio Ready Cell Phone Showcase goes beyond radio programming,” said Dennis Wharton, NAB executive vice president, communications. “It allows NAB and GSS to demonstrate the power radio has in providing information to the community during severe weather and other emergency situations.”
The showcase will highlight radio’s emergency notification capabilities, including ALERT FM. ALERT FM, by GSS, is an FM radio-based alert and notification system that operates off of the Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS). It allows consumers to receive emergency information from local officials and the National Weather Service. Messages can be received on special receivers or cell phones equipped with an active FM chip and software.
“Because ALERT FM operates on existing redundant nationwide FM coverage, cell phones with active FM chips and installed software will be able to receive potentially life-saving information from local officials and the national weather service, even if cellular networks are overloaded,” said Matthew Straeb, GSS executive vice president.
The technology behind ALERT FM is also being used to expand the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as seen at the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning (IPAWS) booth. It also provides an FM data-delivery pathway as part of Sage Alerting Systems, Inc’s CAP (Common Alert Protocol)-EAS solution.
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About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About GSS and ALERT FM
Global Security Systems, LLC, of Jackson, Mississippi, is the owner and operator of ALERT FM and GSSNet. ALERT FM is a personal alert and messaging system that delivers emergency information from state and local government and private sector officials to targeted recipients using the data subcarrier of local FM radio stations and GSSNet, a satellite data delivery network. Potential information includes severe weather warnings, homeland security notices, hurricane evacuation instructions, utility notices, plant or school closings, employee notifications and traffic alerts. First responders, school officials, residents, and businesses can receive this information based on geographic or organizational groupings through specially designed ALERT FM receivers or any device equipped with a standard FM chip. ALERT FM has been implemented at the university, state, county and multi-county levels. More than 40 million people in 14 states have access to ALERT FM technology.