The City Alert Texting System (CATS) venture was conceived by
David Pieterse, a security systems' entrepreneur, and Eazytext, a
Midlands-based company which specialises in commercial text
messaging.
The aim of the service is to "keep the general public safe" and
Pieterse states that CATS will "deliver information to the public
where traditional media channels cannot reach."
Mr Pieterse further claims that CATS is designed to give prompt
information on emergency services and courses of action if an
attack occurs.
According to Pieterse, the service will cost £1.50 per year and
subscribers will be able to register by disclosing the postal codes
of their homes and workplaces. Initially, CATS will be available to
those living in London, although it is intended that the service
will be extended to other cities across the UK.
Pieterse and Eazytext claim that their service has been
demonstrated to London's Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and
that they are in negotiations with similar authorities in
Manchester and Edinburgh.
