The Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) AllianceÔ is an international coalition of broadcasters, consumer electronics makers, B2B tech companies, and trade associations that is using the emerging technology of Next Generation Television to greatly improve public emergency messaging. We are creating a framework of best practices for AEA&I that is based on technology innovation, synergistic workflows, and input from diverse community stakeholders.

As the severity and frequency of natural disasters increase, while manmade threats and civil emergencies remain unabated, the AWARN Alliance is aggregating ideas and carving out new pathways for developing the next generation of public alerts and warnings. As the U.S. and other countries move to build resilence to climate and other disasters, AWARN is working to create voluntary, multi-stakeholder solutions.

AWARN provides a unique and compelling use case for Next Gen TV. When fully deployed, Next Gen Alerting will deliver geo-targeted, rich-media alerts to an unlimited number of enabled TVs, connected cars, and handheld devices even when cellular fails or the grid is down. These improvements will undoubtedly save countless lives and will extend the role of local TV stations as “first informers.”

AWARN also may the key to getting ATSC 3.0 receiver chips in a wide range of consumer devices, including smartphones and connected cars. Extending the reach of TV stations beyond fixed TV sets would unlock enormous economic value for broadcasters. AEA&I may be the service that leads to mobile convergence.

Finally, Broadcasters have the spectrum, the infrastructure, the trust of their communities, and now, the technology to provide a whole new level of public safety for their communities. Using Next Gen TV for advanced alerting and informing is not just good for business but, simply put, the right thing to do.