SMS Cell Broadcast messaging is designed for simultaneous delivery of messages to multiple users in a specified area. Whereas the Short Message Service (SMS) is a one-to-one and one-to-a-few service, Cell Broadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enables messages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who are located within a given part of its network coverage area at the time the message is broadcast. Cell Broadcast is more akin to other mass distribution media such as teletext -which KBC is planning to intoduce soon - or Radio Data System (RDS).
Since it was technologically demonstrated in Paris for the first time, in 1997, it has come a long way and finally we have it in use here in Kenya since the introduction of Super Ongea - a dynamic tariff where price "moves" depending on time and location- from Safaricom the leading Cellular network in Kenya with over 80 % of the mobile market share.Safaricom is using Cell broadcast to inform the user the current calling charges.
More important is that Cell broadcast services can be utilised to provide vital information about any disaster, disaster management measures or any other important information. The location-based services include different services, including: traffic alert service, emergency service, public safety and information regarding weather etc. Maybe even for adverts in future ??
Cell Broadcast messaging is particularly appropriate for emergency purposes as it is not as affected by traffic load; therefore, it may be usable during a disaster when load spikes tend to crash networks.
For instance during the Tsunami catastrophe in Asia. Dialog GSM, an operator in Sri Lanka was able to provide ongoing emergency information to its subscribers, to warn of incoming waves, to give news updates, to direct people to supply and distribution centres, and even to arrange donation collections using Celltick's Cell Broadcast Center.
Read more on the scenarios where it is in use or being tested here
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