Cell Broadcast in Poland: Alerts will bypass silent mode

In brief

The Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA), the Government Security Centre (RCB), and four operators—Orange, Play, Plus, and T-Mobile—signed a letter of intent regarding the Cell Broadcast system. The information was announced on October 14, 2026.
Cell Broadcast sends a single message to all phones within range of transmitters. The alert is designed to bypass silent mode and requires no application.
Minister Marcin Kierwiński expects implementation within about 12 months. According to Antyweb, the full launch is scheduled for September 2027. The cost is nearly 100 million PLN.

Who signed it and what is this document

The MSWiA announced the signing of a letter of intent to launch the Cell Broadcast system in Poland. The document was signed by the Minister of Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński, the Government Security Centre, and operators Orange, Play, Plus, and T-Mobile. The Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) is also participating in the work.

A letter of intent is a declaration of cooperation, not an executive contract. It sets the framework for the partnership and a timeline. According to GSMonline, work on the system began on July 15, 2026, and weekly working meetings have been held since September. A team involving the administration, UKE, and operators is now being formed to prepare detailed technical specifications.

How Cell Broadcast differs from RCB Alerts

Today's RCB Alert consists of standard SMS messages. The system sends a separate message to every number within range of a base station. This puts a heavy load on the network. According to Antyweb, delays can reach up to several minutes. An SMS is also easy to miss when the phone is muted or in "do not disturb" mode.

Cell Broadcast works differently, similar to radio. Masts broadcast one common message to all phones in a designated area. This can be a city, county, province, or the entire country. Authorities only specify the area, and everyone within it receives the message.

The message appears as a window on the screen, with sound and vibration. The sound is intended to bypass silent mode. It can also be longer than an SMS, allowing for more detailed instructions. According to Spider's Web, the alert will also reach phones without an active SIM card and with mobile data turned off.

When and at what cost

Minister Kierwiński expects implementation to take about 12 months. GSMonline mentions a full launch in the second half of 2027. Antyweb provides a specific month: September 2027. This date has not been confirmed by other sources.

According to GSMonline, the MSWiA will allocate nearly 100 million PLN for the system from the Population Protection and Civil Defense Program. A similar amount, approximately 100 million PLN, is cited by Antyweb.

What this means for phone users

There is no need to install anything or sign up for any database. A phone with Android or iOS within network range is sufficient. The warning will appear with the highest priority, even at night and with the phone muted.

RCB Alerts will not disappear. Cell Broadcast is intended to supplement them, along with government apps and alarm sirens. Until the new system launches, warnings will continue to be sent via SMS.

Sources

Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence based on: Antyweb, Spider's Web, GSMonline. Facts checked automatically against these sources. The Wiadomości PRO newsroom is responsible for this publication.