Collaboration to Provide E9-1-1 for Nomadic VoIP Subscribers
ANNAPOLIS, MD and BROOMFIELD, Colo., September 19 2005 – TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a leading provider of mission critical wireless communications, and Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ:LVLT), an international communications and information services company, today announced that the companies have executed an agreement for TCS to deliver Enhanced 9-1-1
(E9-1-1) emergency service components to the customers of the Level(3) E-911 DirectSM service.
“With over eight years of experience in location solutions for E9-1-1, Level 3 selected TCS to partner on delivering real-time E9-1-1 location services to our Level(3) E-911 Direct customers,” said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. “With the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirement for interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to provide E9-1-1 services, it is essential that our customers have access to a nomadic solution and that is what TCS assists us to deliver.
Having network connections to the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) is a necessary component of the delivery of any nomadic E9-1-1 solution, and Level 3 believes that having its network connectivity already in place provides it with an advantage over its competitors. While others are now just beginning to develop their E9-1-1 network assets, today Level 3 has network connections to PSAPs that serve approximately 67% of all U.S. households, with a projected build-out to 70% by the end of 2005.
”Level 3 provides a crucial link between VoIP service providers and PSAPs,” stated Tim Lorello, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for TCS. “Level 3’s E9-1-1 services, coupled with TCS’ technology, allows us to deliver rapid and correct location information to the appropriate PSAP in real time. TCS has been routing calls and delivering location information to the pubic safety community for wireless E9-1-1 since it completed the first-ever wireless 9-1-1 call in 1997. Now, as then, TCS stands ready to provide the core technology competencies required to ensure the public’s safety.”
In addition to the network connections, four core functions are required to successfully route and deliver VoIP E9-1-1 calls to the PSAP that is closest to a caller’s location at the time of a call. This coordination of location of caller and appropriate PSAP is crucial for prompt emergency response. To provide this service to Level 3’s customers, TCS delivers the following key functions:
- Location Determination – validated subscriber location database featuring a hosted real-time provisioning interface;
- Route Determination – real-time call flow integration where the VoIP Positioning Center (VPC) receives the 9-1-1 call and determines the appropriate PSAP to which the call should be routed using Emergency Routing Database and PSAP routing reference data;
- Call Delivery – routing instructions are returned from the TCS VPC to the serving softswitch to route across the Level 3 network to the PSAP via selective routers;
- Location Content Delivery – in response to an Automatic Location Information (ALI) query from the PSAP, TCS’ ALI LinkTM provides the caller’s location data;
Designed for mobility, TCS’ comprehensive E9-1-1 VoIP solutions provide coverage for nomadic and mobile VoIP subscribers as well as static users.
ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS) is a leading provider of mission- critical wireless communications. TCS-designed systems include location and messaging products deployed in wireless carrier networks, applications in enterprise networks for functions including logistics management and proof of delivery, and highly secure deployable communication systems used for government intelligence and defense. Messaging and location-based services, including wireless E 9-1-1, and direct wireless applications are hosted in the company’s TL-9000-certified network operations centers and may be available directly from the company or through subscriptions via wireless carriers. For more information visit www.telecomsys.com.
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 as early as anticipated, (ii) continue to rely on its customers and other third parties to provide additional products and services that create a demand 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 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.
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP services, content delivery and media distribution services. These services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is www.Level3.com.
"Level 3 Communications,” "Level 3," the red 3D brackets and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service, product or company names recited herein may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements that we make in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated goals include, but are not limited to our ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on our network; defend our intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of our debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
