TCS' VoIP E9-1-1 Technology Assists Public Safety to Deliver Rapid Emergency Response to VoIP Subscribers' Locations


location based services

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- (Market Wire - Oct 23, 2006) -- TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a leading provider of location-based services and mission-critical E9-1-1 communications, today announced it has deployed its Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) E9-1-1 solution with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Dual Dispatch Center. LAPD is the nation's first Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to deploy TCS' enhanced VoIP E9-1-1 technology using TCS' Master Street Address Guide (MSAG)-based routing solution. All other providers of VoIP E9-1-1 services rely upon Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to determine routing for emergency calls. This LAPD deployment showcases the advantages of TCS' MSAG-based solution.
When an emergency call is received by a PSAP, TCS passes the caller's location and callback number to the PSAP. The caller's location typically is displayed as a specific street name and number. TCS' technology ensures the address is compliant with specific addressing formats as specified by the MSAG. TCS then uses the MSAG to match the caller's address with the Emergency Service Zone (ESZ) and provides routing instructions accordingly. First responders are dispatched based on the ESZ and the MSAG-compliant address. Until the deployment at LAPD, call routing determination was accomplished by converting an address to latitude/longitude (lat/lon) coordinates and then plotting these coordinates on a map. TCS' ability to overcome the limitations of GIS conversions for more accurate call routing greatly improves the capability of first responders to reach the correct location.



The LAPD deployment allows TCS to provide MSAG addresses for a high percentage of the VoIP calls, as well as to use the same MSAG to provide the actual Emergency Service Number (ESN) specific to the caller. The unique TCS feature allows LAPD to dispatch the closest first responders to provide rapid assistance to the 9-1-1 caller.
Sergeant Matthew Mulvihill, Wireless/VoIP E9-1-1 Project Manager for LAPD, stated, "TCS was the first VPC to employ MSAG table-based routing to deliver E9-1-1 calls to LAPD. TCS' advanced testing tools and techniques also resulted in the completion of all testing within two hours."
Jon Croy, Senior Director, TCS VoIP Business Unit, stated, "The data provided by TCS results in greater certainty of the caller's accurate location and allows the correct jurisdiction to respond rapidly. This approach lowers response times by critical seconds, which can result in lives being saved. This is a major improvement to the current practices used across the nation."
"The MSAG-based routing capabilities demonstrated in TCS' deployment of E9-1-1 in the Los Angeles Police Department deliver on what the PSAP community has been requesting," stated Christopher Peters, Vice President of Strategic Alliances for 8x8. "TCS continues to lead the way to better public safety technology, and the winners are America's citizens."
ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) produces wireless data communications technology solutions that require proven high levels of reliability. TCS provides wireless and VoIP E9-1-1 network-based services, secure deployable communication systems and engineered satellite-based services, and commercial location applications, like traffic and navigation, using the precise location of a wireless device. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.
The actual results realized by the Company could differ materially from the statements made herein, depending in particular upon the risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These include without limitation risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's financial results and the ability of the Company to (i) reach and sustain profitability when anticipated, (ii) continue to rely on its customers and other third parties to provide additional products and services that create a demand for its products and services, (iii) conduct its business in foreign countries, (iv) adapt and integrate new technologies into its products, (v) expand its business offerings in the new wireless data industry, (vi) develop software and provide services without any errors or defects, (vii) protect its intellectual property rights, and (viii) implement its sales and marketing strategy.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.
Media Contacts:TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.Rita Thompson410-295-1865Email ContactWelz & Weisel CommunicationsJane Bryant703-218-3555Email Contact