Wireless Emergency Alerts; Emergency Alert System

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Federal Communications Commission 47 CFR Part 10 [PS Docket Nos. 15-91 and 15-94; FCC 25-14; FR ID 284585] AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) revises the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) rules to allow alert originators the option to send “silent alerts” that do not trigger WEA's common audio attention signal or vibration cadence. This action grants alert originators greater flexibility in tailoring how WEA messages are presented. Further, to make as clear as possible to the public that any device marketed as a “WEA-capable mobile device” adheres to the full suite of WEA capabilities, the Commission also adopts its proposals to define a “WEA-capable mobile device,” for the purpose of compliance with the Commission's WEA requirements. DATES: The definitions of a WEA-capable mobile device and a mobile device for the purpose of WEA (section 10.10(j) through (m)), along with conforming edits (to the introductory text of section 10.500, section 10.500(i) through (j), the introductory text of section 10.520, and the introductory text of section 10.530), will become effective September 15, 2025. The silent alert rules adopted herein (sections 10.490 and 10.530(d)) will become effective March 18, 2028. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Kirschner, Attorney-Advisor, Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, Public Safety and Home…