THUNDER BAY — Seven months after technical glitches excluded most Tbaytel customers from a test of the national emergency alert system, a second exercise will take place next month.
A test of the Alert Ready system in early May only worked for some Tbaytel smartphone users who happened to be travelling outside the company's home wireless network coverage area.
Tbaytel and Rogers Communications engineers eventually identified the system issues that caused the problem.
Tbaytel spokesperson Katie Crowe says "there were a lot of points of failure across the country, actually."
According to Crowe, some "tweaks" were required for network configurations.
"We worked with engineers from Rogers and from other providers as well, and did some reviews and investigations, and we feel that we have completed those and that resolutions are now in place."
Another test is now scheduled — involving wireless networks as well as the country's broadcasting system — for Nov. 28.
In Ontario, it will take place at 1:55 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Crowe cautioned that some devices still may not receive the alert message.
"The main issue is that you have to be connected to an LTE network, and your device has to be LTE-capable. Your operating software has to be up to date" as well, she said.
