Cell Broadcast Service (CBS)

CBS is being used for the Public Warning System and can transmit messages through independent channels, which means regardless of network congestion, users can still receive messages within a few seconds as long as the cell phone is within the coverage area.

With an impending potential disaster, government institution of disaster prevention automatically and instantly transmits disaster warning messages allowing people more time to take refuge thereby reducing the number of fatalities and casualties. The system is capable of transmitting messages to a large number of people simultaneously and also determining the correct areas of potential harm. Users are not required to log in or register, which means there is no issue with regards to privacy. Most importantly, users can trust the message content, because it is from a government institution that is certified and authorized by the Office of Disaster Management, Executive Yuan.

CBS Message Codes

CBS transmits messages through independent channels; cell phones distinguish channels from the different message codes so CBS's message codes is same as the channel codes. National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction have allocated the following 24 channel codes for transmitting disaster warning messages.

Figure 1.Public Warning System Block Diagram

Part of Disaster Warning Messages, The message content is from a government institution that is certified and authorized by the Office of Disaster Management, Executive Yuan.

Part of Collecting and Transmitting, It through NCDR's Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE).

Part of Way of Transmission,It through Telecommunications Operator's Cell Broadcast Center (CBC).

Part of Terminal,It's means user's cell phone.

Reasons why your cell phone did not receive disaster warning messages:

1. The cell phone isn't in the disaster area.
2. The cell phone is set to call only or flight mode.
3. The cell phone has no SIM card inserted or settings have been configured to refuse incoming Alert Messages.
4. The cell phone isn't in the coverage area.
5. The cell phone is too outdated receiving type approval prior to Mar. 1 2016, and firmware (OTA) was not updated.

URL of Cell Phone's OTA Information：

https://www.ncc.gov.tw/chinese/news_detail.aspx?site_content_sn=3735&cate=0&keyword=&is_history=0&pages=0&sn_f=36264

URL of Telecommunications Operator's Customer Service Hotline：

https://www.ncc.gov.tw/chinese/news_detail.aspx?site_content_sn=3729&sn_f=35487

Figure 2. Telecommunications Operator's Customer Service Hotline