TeleCommunication Systems Launches First National End-to-End Suite of Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Solutions
ANNAPOLIS, MD, Dec. 17, 2012 TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology, today announced its new, comprehensive, end-to-end suite of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) solutions for public safety and emergency response. Through its acquisition of microDATA in July 2012, TCS added powerful new geographic information system (GIS) solutions, call taker equipment and related NG 9-1-1 system components and services to other TCS solutions.
Today¹s TCS NG 9-1-1 suite is the first fully standards-compliant NENA i3 NG 9-1-1 system: a comprehensive public safety portfolio providing key products and services to wireline local exchange carriers, VoIP service providers, competitive local exchange carriers and wireless operators. This solution combines TCS¹ carrier-grade Emergency Services IP Network (ESINet) and national text gateway with microDATA¹s ESINet and CPE solution.
Two major technology evolutions are converging for the next generation of emergency communication services:
– Legacy circuit-switched infrastructure in the public safety community is being upgraded to all-IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 systems; and
– The first non-voice emergency communications, specifically short message service text messages (SMS 9-1-1) for the hearing impaired, callers in noise-sensitive situations or for communication when networks are overloaded with voice calls are being transmitted over wireless operator networks.
With these capabilities, wireless operators can now take advantage of TCS¹ cloud-based text gateway and connect both to legacy public safety answering points (PSAPs) and evolving NG public safety jurisdictions. This enables public safety jurisdictions to have flexible options for receipt of SMS, regardless of their legacy equipment or stage of transition to Next Generation. In addition, this has set the stage for the public to be able to securely and reliably send location information, text, videos and images rapidly to PSAPs, providing emergency responders with detailed, accurate information.