There will be at least three levels of messages, ranging from a critical national alert from the president to warnings about impending or occurring national disasters to alerts about missing or abducted children. People will be able to opt out of receiving all but the presidential alerts, Genachowski said.
A special chip is required to allow the phone to receive the messages, and starting next all new phones will have the technology. Some smartphones already have the chip and software updates will be available when the network goes online later this year, Genachowski said.
Great. Now I can get charged 25 cents every time some terrorist, yelling "Allahu Ackbar," shoots up a bunch of people or blows something up.
Of course, the message will say: "Let's not jump to any conclusions....."
A special chip is required to allow the phone to receive the messages, and starting next all new phones will have the technology. Some smartphones already have the chip and software updates will be available when the network goes online later this year, Genachowski said.
Great. Now I can get charged 25 cents every time some terrorist, yelling "Allahu Ackbar," shoots up a bunch of people or blows something up.
Of course, the message will say: "Let's not jump to any conclusions....."

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