Q Can general information messages also be sent out on the FAST network?
A Yes. This enhancement has been added to the FAST system. General information messages are only sent to registered members of a specific group from a licensed entity (i.e. students registered for a school licensed on FAST)
Q Where can I get more information about the NOAA weather alert sent to my phone?
A The full text message of each NOAA weather alert sent to your phone is saved for your review on the FAST website. Click the link for "Latest Alerts" and find your alert, click View to see the full message. All carriers have a limited number of characters that can be sent in each SMS text message, most are 160 characters. FAST pulls the most important information from each NOAA alert and sends it to your phone but we always save the entire message for your review.
Q What is SMS text messaging?
A A text message via SMS (Short Message Service) is a single short message displayed as text on the screen of the recipient's mobile telephone. Messages travel above the phone's radio channel on the signaling path. A SMS text message can vary in length depending on your carrier. The most common message length limitation per carrier is 160 characters.
Q Is text messaging a fast way to communicate?
A Unlike direct telephone dialing, multiple outgoing text messages can be sent rapidly. Text messages can even be received while the phone is in use, so there are rarely busy signals.
Q How fast is broadcast text messaging?
A Typically when sending a voice message, it takes 3-5 minutes to dial and leave the message. In comparison, a text message is usually delivered in about 20 milliseconds. It is an extremely fast and efficient way to send out many messages in a short amount of time.
Q Who can receive text messages?
A Any mobile phone user with text messaging enabled can receive text messages. Text messaging is free with some mobile telephone providers and fee-based on others. Many cell phone plans allow for a certain number of free text messages per month.
Q How common is mobile phone use today?
A Research indicates that there are approximately 230 million wireless phones It is estimated that over 60% of Americans use cellular phones, with the highest group of users being adults between 35 and 49 years old (over 70%).
Q What is First Alert Text?
A The First Alert Text System provides for immediate cell phone text notification of emergencies, thus eliminating confusion about the nature of the emergency or the appropriate action to take. Because people today are more accessible on their cell phones, the FAST system will be more likely to notify them about an emergency situation, thus enabling appropriate action to be taken. In providing for notification from State and Federal Agencies, FAST considers the possibility that county and/or city emergency management agencies may not be operational in certain critical situations.
The tiered national access system allows Counties to provide notification in their Cities, the State to provide notifications in their Counties and Cities, and the Federal level to provide notifications in all States, Counties or Cities. The flexibility of the FAST system also allows for individual entities, such as schools, to be licensed for their own ability to send emergency notifications to their specified subscribers.
Q Is there a cost for being a subscriber on the FirstAlertText network?
A Yes. There is a user cost of $.99 cents per month which is indicated on their cell phone bill.
Q What is this error 1000 I'm getting trying to signup for service?
A This error is common with Cricket / Leap and U.S. Cellular subscribers. Often this error due to attempting to make a purchase on a phone that doesn't not allow premium billing. Please verify with your cell phone provider that you are able to purchase a 99 cent per month subscription service. When your provider corrects the error you may continue the sign up process.
Q What is this error 40010 I'm getting trying to signup for service?
A This error is common with Nextel and Boost subscribers. Often this error due to the eWallet user payment device. As a result, when they attempt to purchase a premium service for the first time, they’re taken through a multi-step eWallet registration flow on their phone. Here is a
link to eWallet for more information.
FAQ's 
