An example method includes receiving at a cell broadcast center information for distribution to at least one user equipment. The cell broadcast center determines an alert category and a message number for the alert category. The alert category is based on the information for distribution. The alert category is associated with one or more corresponding alert categories of a plurality of technology networks with which the cell broadcast center is configured to interact. The message number for the alert category is based on a number of alert messages previously forwarded for the alert category. An alert message is forwarded from the cell broadcast center to the at least one user equipment via one or more of the plurality of technology networks. The alert message includes the message number for the alert category and an alert category indicator indicating a respective corresponding alert category of the one or more corresponding alert categories that corresponds with the alert category.