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Canada’s Amber Alert system is expanding into the wireless world

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Canada’s cell phone companies are offering free Amber Alert texts to their users and the new program has the potential to reach millions of people.

The alerts reporting child abductions will be sent as text messages to those who sign up, and they’re now considered vital to increasing the chances that a child will be returned safely after abduction. Twelve phone companies have already signed up.

Shawn Hall with Telus says with their six million wireless subscribers alone, the new system could reach a lot of people. “Wireless technology has evolved to a point where this is possible and this is actually the second launch of a significant public safety initiative using new wireless technology this year.  The first in February, was the launch of an enhanced 911 location system that uses GPS and triangulation to narrow down the search for someone when they call 911 on their cell phone.”

If you would like to sign up, click here.

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