Docomo users get first quake warning via their mobile phones

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Fukushima set off alarm bells in Tokyo yesterday. But this time the warning sounds came from the mobile phones of Docomo users.  

The system sends signals quicker than the earthquake can move.

Area Mail

According to Asiajin, it was the first test in Tokyo of the leading mobile phone operator's early warning system.

Apparently Twitter was then inundated with tens of thousands of comments by local people recognizing the new alarm, or being baffled by the new sound their mobiles were making.

The Japan Meteorogical Agency (JMA) has been introducing new early warning systems since 2007 in media and TV, but Docomo and rival phone company AU have both been gradually adopting it in new handsets. The system is locally known as 'Area Mail.'

Docomo, whose name is a pun on the Japanese word 'dokomo' (everywhere) and also an abbreviation of 'do communications on your mobile,' says that the system was developed separately from their usual messaging service.

Sounding off in manner mode

According to their website, which allows you to check out the alarm sounds for an earthquake and other disasters, the news of an earthquake is sent via the JMA through Docomo to users' phones, creating a pop-up message on the screen. 

Docomo is Japan's leading mobile phone operator.

The alarm will also sound when the handset is in manner mode, meaning those in class, lectures or meetings were peeved to find phone buzzing unexpectedly. Fortunately last night's earthquake caused no damage.

Softbank, Japan's third-largest carrier and home to the iPhone in Japan, announced their support last year but has only adopted it on one model type, the 831N.

In other disaster news, a Japanese firm is developing technology to bust typhoons with submarines.

Further reading;

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