In Norway, the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) is performing technical tests of emergency alerts, which will only be received by phones configured to accept these alerts. The tests are scheduled to take place on Thursday between 11 AM and 3 PM. Henriette Magnussen, a lead investigator at DSB, indicated that such tests are carried out periodically, often with few public inquiries, suggesting that not many people will receive these alerts this time. Furthermore, Magnussen highlighted that it is unnecessary to activate test alerts to receive notifications in case of significant emergencies.

The testing process was confirmed to have reached one of VG's reporters in central Oslo, specifically at Akersgata. In previous instances of emergency alerts, notifications were sent to individuals located outside designated warning areas. During the technical checks, phones are supposed to automatically check whether they are within the designated area. However, Magnussen noted that not all devices have the capability to check this or receive the necessary updates.

The DSB acknowledges that, for various reasons, some individuals residing outside the designated warning areas will still receive emergency alerts. This raises discussions regarding the reliability of such technologies and the challenges in ensuring that alerts are received by those directly affected by emergencies. The overall aim of these tests is to improve the emergency preparedness and communication systems in Norway, ensuring that more people can receive timely alerts when needed.