Finland to launch mobile emergency alerts by end of 2024 following drone incidents

Finland will accelerate the rollout of a new cell broadcast system to send emergency alerts directly to mobile phones without requiring an app, with construction beginning immediately and a target launch by the end of 2024, Yle reports.

The decision follows last week’s drone sightings, which exposed gaps in the current 112 Finland app-based warning system. Many users either did not receive alerts or lacked the app entirely, prompting urgent action.

Mikko Jääskeläinen, a senior expert at the Ministry of the Interior’s rescue department, confirmed funding secured in last year’s supplementary budget will now prioritise the cell broadcast infrastructure. “The actual construction starts right now,” he told Yle, aiming for at least basic functionality by December.

Unlike the existing app, cell broadcast messages will automatically reach all compatible phones within a designated area—no download, registration, or local SIM required. The technology also resists network congestion, delivering alerts within seconds even during high-traffic events.

Finland joins most EU nations in adopting the system, which has been sought for years but faced repeated funding delays. Operators Elisa, Telia, DNA, and Ålcom (Åland Islands) will collaborate on the buildout, alongside upgrades to the 112 Finland app and outdoor siren networks.

The €6 million allocated last year will cover all three projects, addressing gaps highlighted by recent incidents. “Pressure has come from many directions in recent days,” Jääskeläinen noted.