Low Character Limit Blocked SE-Alert Warning Messages for Some Telia Customers

Some Telia customers did not receive an alert when Sweden’s new warning system, SE-Alert, was tested in Stockholm and Gotland counties on Monday.

The warning message contained more characters than the configured limit allowed. The limit was set too low, which blocked the distribution of the message.

Mikael Frisell, director general of the Swedish Civil Defence Authority, told TT that Telia had not followed the authority’s requirements specification.

Frisell said the operator later corrected the setting and carried out a successful test. It remains unclear how many phones were not reached.

The system is scheduled for a nationwide test in Sweden on 7 December.