Notice regarding transmission of Wireless Emergency Alerts (Commercial Mobile Alert Service):
GCI has chosen to offer Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), including enhanced geo-targeting, within portions of its service area, as defined by the terms and conditions of its service agreement, on WEA-capable devices. There is no additional charge for these WEAs.
WEAs, including enhanced geo-targeting, may not be available on all devices or in the entire service area, or if a subscriber is outside the GCI service area. For details on the availability of this service and WEA-capable devices, including the availability and benefits of enhanced geo-targeting, see the information below.
Notice required by FCC Rule 47 CFR 10.240 (Commercial Mobile Alert Service).
Frequently asked questions
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Overview
What is WEA?
Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) is a public safety alert system that allows customers to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area.
What alerts does WEA deliver?
Alerts from WEA cover only critical emergency situations. Customers may receive only four types of alerts:
- National alerts issued by the president of the United States or the administrator of FEMA
- Alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life (including Blue Alerts)
- AMBER Alerts about missing children
- Public Safety Messages conveying recommendations for saving lives and property
WEA test messages — which clearly state that they are sent as part of a test — may also be sent by state and local emergency agencies.
How does WEA work?
Authorized national, state, or local government authorities may send alerts regarding public safety emergencies – such as evacuation orders or shelter-in-place orders due to severe weather, a terrorist threat, or a chemical spill – using WEA.
The alerts from authorized public safety officials are sent through FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to participating wireless carriers, which broadcast the alert in the affected area.
How much do customers pay to receive WEA?
Alerts are free. Alerts do not impact voice, text, or data usage for customers.
Receiving Alerts
Who receives the alerts?
Geo-targeted alerts are sent over wireless networks and received by devices that are technically capable of transmitting and receiving the enhanced alerts. If some or all of a network is technically incapable of providing geo-targeted alerts, or a device cannot be upgraded to support this functionality, then alert messages are delivered to an area that best approximates the specified target area (i.e., the zone of an emergency) on those aspects of the network infrastructure. In both instances, the alert message is sent to customers in WEA-covered service areas with mobile devices within in the alert zone specified by the alert message will receive the alert. Wireless emergency alerts, including enhanced geo-targeting, may not be available on all devices throughout GCI's entire service area, or if a subscriber is outside of GCI’s service area.
Are customers able to receive WEAs on a prepaid phone?
Yes. Customers with prepaid phones can receive WEAs as long as their provider participates in WEA and the customer has a WEA-enabled device. These customers receive the alerts just as customers with postpaid, monthly services do.
Do I have to sign up to receive alerts?
Customers do not need to sign up for this service. GCI customers with alert-capable devices will automatically receive WEA alerts. For Apple devices, GCI customers must agree to the new carrier settings update when asked.
What do customers experience when they receive a WEA?
WEA appears on the screen of the recipient's handset as a text-like message. The alert is accompanied by a unique attention signal and vibration, which is particularly helpful to people with hearing or vision-related disabilities.
Does WEA track my location?
No. WEA is not designed to – and does not – track the location of anyone receiving a WEA alert.
Do I need a new phone or a smartphone to receive alerts?
Some phones may require only software upgrades to receive alerts, while in other cases a subscriber may need to purchase a new WEA-capable device. For a list of WEA-capable GCI handsets, please view 'Which GCI devices receive WEA notifications?' below.
If my account with GCI is suspended or cancelled, will I still receive alerts?
Yes. WEAs are a public safety alert service and do not cost the subscriber/customer any money. Because of this, and regardless of your account status, you will still receive alerts.
Coverage & Availability
What if I’m not in Alaska?
GCI subscribers will receive alerts when roaming on other carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile as long as the carriers have deployed WEA-enabled networks in the local geographic area.
Do I need GPS for alerts to work?
No. Neither customer information nor GPS is needed to broadcast WEAs. Alerts will go to all alert-capable devices in the specified affected area of the WEA-covered service area of the wireless network.
Is WEA available everywhere?
Because participation in WEA by wireless carriers is widespread but voluntary, some carriers may offer WEA over all or parts of their service areas, or over all or only some of their wireless devices. Other carriers may not offer WEA at all. Even if you have a WEA-enabled device, you would not receive WEAs in a service area where the provider is not offering WEA or if your device is roaming on a provider network that does not support the WEA service. GCI does not support WEA on its network in the following areas:
| Adak | Holy Cross | Ouzinkie |
| Akutan | Huslia | Pedro Bay |
| Aleknagik | Igiugig | Perryville |
| Ambler | Iliamna | Pilot Point |
| Anaktuvuk Pass | Kaktovik | Platinum |
| Anvik | Kalskag | Point Hope |
| Arctic Village | Kaltag | Point Lay |
| Atka | King Cove | Port Alsworth |
| Atqasuk | Kivalina | Port Graham |
| Beaver | Klukwan | Port Heiden |
| Birch Creek | Kobuk | Port Lions |
| Brevig Mission | Kokhanok | Ruby |
| Chalkyitsik | Kotlik | Saint Paul |
| Chenega Bay | Koyukuk | Sand Point |
| Chignik Bay | Larsen Bay | Savoonga |
| Chignik Lagoon | Levelock | Seldovia |
| Chignik Lake | Little Diomede | Shageluk |
| Chuathbaluk | Lower Kalskag | Shishmaref |
| Circle | McCarthy | Shungnak |
| Clark's Point | McGrath | Sleetmute |
| Cold Bay | McKinley Village | Stevens Village |
| Cordova | Mentasta Lake | Stuyahok |
| Crooked Creek | Minto | Sutton |
| Deering | Muklung Hills | Tanana |
| Dot Lake Village | Napaimute | Tatitlek |
| Dutch Harbor | Nelson Lagoon | Teller |
| Eagle | Nanwalek | Tenakee Springs |
| Egegik | New Stuyahok | Tetlin |
| Ester | Newhalen | Thorne Bay |
| False Pass | Nikolai | Unalaska |
| Fort Yukon | Nikolski | Upper Kalskag |
| Gambell | Nondalton | Utqiagvik |
| Grayling | Nuiqsut | Venetie |
| Gulkana | Nulato | Wainwright |
| Gustavus | Wales | |
| Yakutat | ||
Device Support
How can I view the WEA settings on my mobile device?
View the Support Article for both iPhone and Android.
Can I block WEAs?
Partially. Participating wireless carriers may offer subscribers with WEA-capable handsets the ability to opt out of receiving alerts involving imminent threats to the safety of life and/or AMBER Alerts; however, customers cannot opt out of receiving emergency alerts issued by the President.
What if my phone is turned off when a WEA is issued?
You will not receive the alert unless your phone is turned on during the alert broadcasting session.
Which GCI devices receive WEA notifications?
These devices are WEA-capable:
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 17e
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- Apple iPhone 17
- Apple iPhone Air
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- Apple iPhone 16
- Apple iPhone 16e
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Apple iPhone 15
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro
- Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro
- Apple iPhone 13
- Apple iPhone 13 Mini
- Apple iPhone SE
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S26
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S21
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
- Samsung Galaxy A03
- Samsung Galaxy A12
- Samsung Galaxy A13
- Samsung Galaxy A14
- Samsung Galaxy A32
- Samsung Galaxy A52
- Samsung Galaxy A711
Please note: Legacy Alaska Communications devices will not receive WEAs. Please call GCI Customer Service with any questions at 1-800-800-4800. For more information about WEA, visit the FCC website.
Geo-Targeting
What is Geo-targeting?
A: Geo-targeting is a technology aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of WEA alert messages. A geo-targeted message is an alert message that is specified by a circle or polygon that is delivered to an area that matches the specified circle or polygon. “Matching” a target area means delivering an Alert Message to 100 percent of the target area with no more than 0.1 of a mile overshoot. Matching a target area may only work on technically capable networks and with new mobile devices offered for sale after November 30, 2019, or existing devices that are technically capable of being upgraded to support this standard.