Sweden’s new national mobile warning system, SE-Alert, was tested on 7 September in Stockholm and Gotland counties. The test took place at 15:00 alongside the quarterly test of the outdoor warning system known as Hesa Fredrik.
– This new warning system strengthens the protection of the civilian population at a time marked by considerable uncertainty, said Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin in a press release from the government.
According to a press release from the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF), the regional test was conducted in cooperation with the county administrative boards of Stockholm and Gotland, the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, and SOS Alarm.
SE-Alert sends an Important Message to the Public, known in Sweden as a VMA, directly to mobile phones within a specified geographical area. No app, registration or internet connection is required. On compatible devices, the alert produces a loud signal and vibration even when the phone is in silent mode.
The system uses cell broadcast technology and can reach mobile users within seconds without burdening ordinary mobile traffic. At launch, between 90 and 95 percent of Swedish mobile phones were estimated to be compatible, while the system covered approximately 95 percent of the country’s land area.
SE-Alert entered service on 1 July 2026 and will undergo further testing and development. It complements existing VMA channels, including radio, television, apps and the outdoor warning system.