Arlington, Va., April 28, 2011—Today, eight leading vendors providing application and network functionality for public safety announced unprecedented collaboration in support of the immediate ratification of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 document (Functional and Interface Standards for Next Generation 9-1-1, Standard 08-002 v1 and 08-003 v1) as the sole NG9-1-1 network architecture and interface standard. The NENA i3 standard represents an evolutionary standard(s) progression that masterfully builds upon previously-published and approved i1, i2 and i3 requirements and architecture documents.

The ability to dial 9-1-1 for emergency-related requests is a fundamental component of the public safety service delivery system in the United States, North America and abroad (via various dialing numbers (112, 611, etc). As such, the public expects 9-1-1 to work whenever and wherever it is needed. This level of 9-1-1 service availability has been achieved through the establishment of rigorous standards. Over time, these critical standards have evolved to adapt to the changes in technologies as well as requirements from the public safety community of users.

“We fully advocate that NENA remain the ‘Voice of 9-1-1’ and continue its NG9-1-1 standards development and evolution efforts. Doing so will enable the public safety community [end-user agencies and business ecosystem members] to enhance and accelerate the development and deployment of NG9-1-1 emergency communication solutions,” said representatives from each company. “This will ensure that public expectation for a 9-1-1 system that has become the world’s benchmark will remain robust and continue to protect life and property.”

NENA has been an active player in the 9-1-1 standards effort. Over the years, NENA has led the way in the development and evolution of essential technical, operational and administrative standards related to 9-1-1 service delivery. NENA’s leadership and ability to pull together key members of the public safety community has truly enabled advances in overall service reliability and delivery for 9-1-1 communications.

The global shift to broadband, Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications and services, such as the internet, instant messaging, text messaging, video, and voice-over-IP (VoIP) requires a commensurate shift in 9-1-1 service standards. Once again, NENA has led the way in the standards development process through the evolution and approval of NG9-1-1 standards such as i1 and i2, which deal with VoIP technology integration.

As a result of their experience and expertise, NENA also recognized that a single NG9-1-1 network architecture and interface standard would be imperative to foster competition, control costs and accelerate NG9-1-1 adoption.

“In conclusion, a single comprehensive and open (non-proprietary) standard such as i3 is absolutely essential to achieve reliable, fully interoperable NG9-1-1 communications; and to realize the full potential and benefits associated with receiving non-traditional data types to 9-1-1,” company representatives further stated.

About 911 Datamaster
911 Datamaster, founded in 1993, focuses exclusively on the development and support of innovative, best-in-class, 9-1-1 database solutions. 911 Datamaster is the leading provider of 9-1-1 data validation and request/response software, currently used in more than 30 states, 700+ counties, highly secure Military Installations and for statewide systems.

About Avaya
Avaya is a global leader in business communications and collaboration, providing unified communications, contact centers, data solutions and related services to companies of all sizes around the world.

About Cassidian Communications
As the largest and most trusted source of mission critical communications solutions, Cassidian Communications, an EADS North America company, is leading the way in standards-based NG9-1-1 call center applications, notification solutions and services and P25 land mobile radio systems.

About Digital Data Technologies, Inc. (DDTI®)
Columbus, Ohio-based Digital Data Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of the most accurate mapping solutions for Public Safety.

About GeoComm
GeoComm is a communications consulting, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and software development firm dedicated to public safety. GeoComm, headquartered out of St. Cloud, Minnesota; is an industry leader in integrating enterprise GIS with public safety communications for 9-1-1, including Next Generation 9-1-1 systems.

About RedSky
RedSky is the leading provider of E9-1-1 software solutions to the enterprise market with more customers, more technology, and more experience than any other provider. More than a million workers, students, guests and visitors rely on RedSky for E9-1-1 protection. RedSky delivers a full suite of on-premise and cloud-based software solutions and services for virtually any telephony platform to help large and small organizations of all types capture, manage and deliver the detailed location information necessary to provide effective 9-1-1 emergency response, comply with state E9-1-1 regulations and meet business requirements for safety, risk management and efficiency. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, RedSky has partnerships with other leaders in the telecommunications and 9-1-1 industries to help shape 9-1-1 policy, leverage emerging technology, and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.

About Solacom
For almost 30 years, Solacom Technologies has been engineering some of the world’s most reliable critical communication systems. With the expertise to integrate voice, video and data into a powerful set of communication tools, Solacom delivers advanced IP-based interoperability solutions for public safety 9-1-1, military command, security systems, and other mission-critical applications.

About TeleCommunication Systems
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology. TCS deployed the first U.S. wireless E9-1-1 solution and pioneered the methods by which public safety dispatchers in the U.S. are able to receive wireless or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscribers’ locations during calls for emergency assistance. Today, TCS supports about half of U.S. wireless E9-1-1 calls. TCS’ award-winning E9-1-1 solutions serve over 140 million wireless and IP-enabled devices. Active in E9-1-1 and next generation NG9-1-1 legislation and standards, TCS continues to be a leading innovator of NG9-1-1 services.