At 12 p.m. yesterday, all mobile phones in the Lombardy, Basilicata, and Molise regions got a message accompanied by a distinct and identifiable sound. This is the first test of IT-Alert, the new national alert system pushed by the Department of Civil Protection, which will be able to quickly inform the community in the event of an impending or ongoing serious emergency after the trial phase. There was an audible alert with the phrase "EMERGENCY ALERTS - This is a TEST MESSAGE from Italy's public warning system. Once operational, it will alert you in the event of a major emergency. For more information, visit www.it-*Alert*.it and fill out the questionnaire." However, the experimentation is not over. On September 21, tests will resume in Lazio, Valle d'Aosta, and Veneto. Abruzzo and the Autonomous Province of Trento will take the stage on September 26th. Mobile phones will ring in Liguria on September 27 and in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano on October 13.