Alerts Help
Get answers to the most common questions about our mobile alert services. Cell phone users from any major carrier can subscribe to our alert service: AT&T/Cingular, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile, Alltel, Boost Mobile and Metro PC. (We also support over 60 other carriers.)
Do I need a special phone to receive alerts?
No, most phones are capable of receiving our text message alert service. To determine your phone's capabilities consult your carrier. You can also look at the options your phone provides. From the menu, select "messages" and within messages see if you have an 'inbox' indicating that you can receive messages.
How do I subscribe?
Please have your phone with you when signing up for the first time. Go to the "Alert Sign In" Web page and enter your name and mobile phone number, and click "Submit." In few seconds a confirmation code will be sent to your phone. Enter the code into the "Confirmation Field" provided on the web page, and click "Finish". You can then select the alerts you want to receive.
FAQs About Alerts Services
What if I didn't receive my alert confirmation code?
Why can't I receive News Alerts on my phone?
Why am I receiving News Alerts at a time I did not specify?
Why can't I receive Classified Search Alerts on my phone?
FAQs About Text Messaging
What is text messaging? What is SMS?
What happens with a text message sent to my cell phone when it is turned off or out of coverage?
How do I know if I have received a text message?
How long are text messages?
Do I have to pay for text messaging on my phone?
Alerts Services
What if I didn't receive my alert confirmation code?
Please check and make sure you entered your mobile number correctly within the proper formatting. Also check that:
  • Your phone is currently activated to receive text messages. Contact your carrier for activation and confirmation. You can also have a friend try sending you a text message.
  • Your phone is in a service area that supports text messaging with adequate signal strength. (at least 2 bars for text)
  • Your cell phone memory is NOT full. You should delete messages in the inbox or outbox of your phone to free memory.

    • You'll need the confirmation code to begin our service for security and privacy. Try submitting your name and number again. If you do not receive our text confirmation code, you can contact support@bakersfield.com.

    Why can't I receive News Alerts on my phone?

    Check to make sure your alert selections were saved and you clicked the "Finish" button. You can see which alerts you are signed to receive from the "My Alerts" start page. Check to make sure your alert selections are "On." You can switch your selected alerts "On" and "Off" from the "My Alerts" page.

    Also check that:
  • Your phone is currently activated to receive text messages. Contact your carrier for activation and confirmation. You can also have a friend try sending you a text message.
  • Your phone is in a service area that supports text messaging with adequate signal strength. (at least 2 bars for text)
  • Your cell phone memory is NOT full. You should delete messages in the inbox or outbox of your phone to free memory.
    •
    Why am I receiving New Alerts at a time I did not specify?

    Please check the time you specified and that any setup or changes you made have been saved by clicking the "finished" button.

    You may have signed up for "Breaking News" instead of "Headline News". The "Breaking News" alerts are critical national and world news events delivered "as they happen" and delivery time can't be specified. Headline News is delivered at the time you specify.
    Why can't I receive Classified Search Alerts on my phone?

    There may be several reasons you may not be receiving specific Classified Alerts on your phone.

    Make sure your alert selections were saved and you clicked the "Finish" button.

    You can see which alerts you are signed up to receive from the "My Alerts" start page.

    Check to make sure your alert selection are "On." You can switch you selected alerts "On" and "Off" from the "My Alerts" page.

    Make sure you are using the proper keywords. Check your spelling and formatting. If you added a keyword or group of keywords to limit your alerts, you will only receive alerts from the selected category that match you keywords exactly.

    Also check that:
  • Your phone is currently activated to receive text messages. Contact your carrier for activation and confirmation. You can also have a friend try sending you a text message.
  • Your phone is in a service area that supports text messaging with adequate signal strength. (at least 2 bars for text)
  • Your cell phone memory is NOT full. You should delete messages in the inbox or outbox of your phone to free memory.
    •
    Text Messaging
    What is text messaging? What is SMS?
    Text messaging is a service that allows you to receive and send short messages of up to 160 characters to another wireless devices from your digital cell phone. The text message appears in the display window of the phone. SMS (short message service) is another term for text messaging.
    What happens with a text message sent to my cell phone when it is turned off or out of coverage?
    If your phone is turned off, your phone's memory is full, or you are outside your cell phone service provider's service area, the network will store and re-send any message for up to 72 hours. Messages not delivered after 72 hours will be deleted.
    How do I know if I have received a text message?
    If you have a new message, your phone will notify you by displaying the words "message received" and an envelope icon in the display. Audio and visual notification varies depending on the make and model of your phone.
    How long are text messages?
    Maximum length of a message is 160 characters, including spaces. any characters over the maximum will be omitted.
    Do I have to pay for text messaging on my phone?
    Subscriptions to News and Classified Alerts are free from the Bakersfield Californian. Normal text messaging charges from you carrier may apply, please consult your carrier for the different text messaging plans offered. Usually, rates will be 5 to 10 cents per message after the first 100 messages. You can reach your carrier by dialing 611 from your mobile phone.