I've often wondered how they measure the efficacy of the tests. Is there some sort of telemetry on the phones that reports back that the user received and viewed the alert? Is there a sample group of test users who have agreed to report whether they received the alert?
Or does that even matter? Are they really more concerned with the infrastructure at the provider level?
The release also mentions that it's primarily intended for emergencies at the national level. I wonder what sorts of emergencies they're envisioning. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can have wide impact, but are there any that really have nation-wide, proximate impact? Are they anticipating nuclear strikes?
EAS is based on reporting (like a questionnaire) from EAS participants - so the parties that are supposed to receive and retransmit alerts.
WEA comes from two sources - the wireless carriers, and a survey of end-users (volunteers). In addition, the 2021 test was effectively opt-in - the upcoming test will actually target all cellphones (which was how the 2018 test was performed).
In the 2018 test report, they said they mostly got feedback through a variety of sources (direct public feedback, as well as information from surveys from different government agencies).
As for the actual useful purpose of national level alerts? I'd agree that outside of a nuke strike... not a lot. (In)famously, EAS was not activated on 9/11. Seems that a national level test is probably most useful as a way for the federal government to keep an eye on the total system.
Separately from the utility of the national test, the national test is required by law.
Or does that even matter? Are they really more concerned with the infrastructure at the provider level?
The release also mentions that it's primarily intended for emergencies at the national level. I wonder what sorts of emergencies they're envisioning. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can have wide impact, but are there any that really have nation-wide, proximate impact? Are they anticipating nuclear strikes?