2024 saw unprecedented weather and climate hazards in Latin America. Devastating wildfires were caused by drought and extreme heat. Record temperatures, unprecedented flooding and the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record demonstrated the devastating impact of this increasing prevalence and severity of disasters.
In 2022, the UN Secretary General launched the Early Warnings for All Initiative with an ambition for everyone in the world to be protected by an early warning system. The GSMA plays a leading role in the initiative, particularly within the ITU led Pillar 3 on “warning dissemination and communication”. With 456 million unique mobile subscribers and 70% mobile penetration in Latin America, mobile network operators have a crucial role to play in disseminating risk alerts at scale through mobile technology, such as cell broadcast that can deliver millions of alerts within seconds.
Disaster preparedness and early warning systems across the region play a part in keeping people safe and protecting livelihoods. Significant developments on the use of mobile technology for these life saving measures in recent years demonstrate strong progress in the region.
Chile’s mobile-based emergency alert system, Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia (SAE), is a powerful example of an effective early warning system where mobile network operators play a vital role. Supported by strong regulation and high levels of mobile penetration in Chile, the SAE is a multi-hazard alerting mechanism that reaches populations quickly, reliably and at scale. Mobile operators not only disseminate alerts, but also maintain infrastructure, ensure handset compatibility, participate in daily testing and contribute to system design and upgrades. GSMA’s recently published case study on Chile’s SEA demonstrates this best practice, documenting important evidence for countries whose early warning systems are under development.
On 14 – 15 of October 2025, the GSMA convened a landmark workshop in Quito, Ecuador to accelerate the country’s progress in using mobile in its early warning system. The workshop convened over 40 participants from government agencies, mobile network operators, humanitarian organisations and international agencies. Participants focused on strengthening Ecuador’s disaster resilience through identifying challenges and co-designing solutions. Sessions explored how mobile technology, cell broadcast in particular, can be leveraged to deliver timely, life-saving alerts to communities at risk. Participants considered how to ensure these systems are inclusive, reaching all communities including women, children, older people, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. Interactive activities and simulation exercises enabled participants to test roles and responsibilities in a real-world flood scenario, while panel discussions addressed regulatory, technical, and financial barriers to better leveraging mobile technology and the mobile industry.
Argentina is implementing a nationwide cell broadcast system to deliver emergency alerts directly to mobile phones without requiring internet or apps. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Security and coordinated by ENACOM, was formalised in July 2025. It is designed to be low-cost and efficient, leveraging existing telecom infrastructure. Importantly, the system is being financed by the ‘Universal Service Fund’ (Fondo Fiduciario de Servicio Universal), which is a government initiative that telecommunications companies contribute to financially. The use of the Universal Service Fund for this purpose has proven to be an effective pathway to implement a cell broadcast based early warning system that will help protect citizens with timely alerts, when applied appropriately and in coordination with industry. In addition, it aligns with the industry’s long-standing call for the USF to support more transparent, effective, and high-impact connectivity programs.
The GSMA highlights the crucial role of early warning systems in its global and regional events. By convening mobile network operators, governments, regulators, innovators and humanitarian actors, we see new partnerships and innovations develop, replicate and scale. The role of the industry in early warning systems will be on the agenda at M360 LATAM taking place on 13-14 May, 2026 in Mexico City.
Read this article in Spanish: Construyendo resiliencia ante desastres mediante sistemas de alerta temprana para móviles en América Latina.
This initiative is currently funded by UK International Development from the UK government and by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is supported by the GSMA and its members.
