Wireless Alert Solutions Limited

There are little or no guarantees that a text message will get through within the minimum requirement of five seconds.  In addition, the message is not repeated and therefore falls outside guidelines.  Additionally, a text message is not prioritised and therefore may be ignored as "low priority" at an inconvenient time.  The text message is transported, similar to email, via servers and management computers, this does not comply with BS5839 and can mean a text message can be delayed by anything up to 72 hours depending on traffic.  Additionally, as witnessed during the recent bomb alerts and terrorist attacks, the authorities will cut off civilian use of mobile networks during crises.  This both prioritises security usage and stops any devices being detonated remotely.  So all in all, no, text messaging isn't a viable option.