TeleCommunication Systems and University of Maryland Collaborate on Beta Test of SMS 9-1-1 Technology
December 14 2011 - 6:30AM
Marketwired
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world
leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication
technology, and the University of Maryland today announced the
company has launched a beta test of SMS 9-1-1 technology on the
College Park campus. The test, which will last approximately three
months, will examine the viability of sending emergency messages to
the campus Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) call center via an
SMS text message sent through a mobile device.
The University of Maryland is the first college emergency
communications center in the United States to test "text-to-police"
using any mobile device capable of text messaging to a live call
taker at the PSAP. The TCS SMS 9-1-1 technology is designed to
allow persons who are hearing impaired and those who are unable to
place a voice emergency call with the ability to communicate their
situation rapidly and accurately to a PSAP via a text message.
This, in turn, would allow the PSAP to send the appropriate
responders to the correct location faster, because the solution
automatically determines the caller's location as opposed to other
techniques that require the sender to enter the location.
The test will be conducted utilizing University of Maryland
Department of Public Safety personnel, who will send various test
emergency text messages that will be received by university police
operators. The operator will receive both the caller's location and
text utilizing the TCS SMS 9-1-1 PSAP graphical user interface
(GUI). Then, campus emergency responders will receive a test
notification.
"The University of Maryland is an institution that is committed
to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, staff and
guests, so it's a natural fit for the University of Maryland to
test this major advancement in emergency communications on its own
campus," said Jay Whitehurst, senior vice president of commercial
software group for TCS. "This technology will allow campus
emergencies to be communicated to university authorities in one of
the most common methods now being used by students to communicate
to each other: texting."
TCS is a leader in SMS text, as well as E9-1-1 connectivity
technology; the company handles approximately one-third of all text
messages in the U.S., and it successfully routed the first-ever
wireless E9-1-1 call over a decade ago. Since then, TCS has
deployed wireless and VoIP E9-1-1 service to operators nationwide.
Today, TCS delivers about half of all U.S. wireless E9-1-1 calls --
more than 140,000 emergency calls daily.
"The University of Maryland takes the safety of our community
very seriously, and being able to test the latest in emergency
communications technology offered by TCS is something we definitely
wanted to be a part of," said David Mitchell, director/chief of
police of the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety.
"Hopefully, this test will lead to campuses across the country
being able to take advantage of this technology to make their
communities safer and stronger."
The University of Maryland Police is participating in this trial
to provide valuable experience necessary to develop SMS 9-1-1 PSAP
call taker requirements with TCS. This trial will also help
optimize the service to meet end user needs.
About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a world
leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication
technology. TCS infrastructure forms the foundation for market
leading solutions in E9-1-1, text messaging, commercial location
and deployable wireless communications. TCS is at the forefront of
new mobile cloud computing services providing wireless applications
for navigation, hyper-local search, asset tracking, social
applications and telematics. Millions of consumers around the world
use TCS wireless apps as a fundamental part of their daily lives.
Government agencies utilize TCS' cyber security expertise,
professional services, and highly secure deployable satellite
solutions for mission-critical communications. Headquartered in
Annapolis, MD, TCS maintains technical, service and sales offices
around the world. To learn more about emerging and innovative
wireless technologies, visit www.telecomsys.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this
news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within
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 subject to risks and uncertainties and are based
upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect
would cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated. Risks include without limitation those detailed from
time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
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.
Company Contact: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Meredith
Allen 410-295-1865 MAllen@telecomsys.com Media Contact:
Nadel Phelan Graham Sorkin 831-440-2406 graham@nadelphelan.com
Investor Relations: Liolios Group, Inc. Scott Liolios
949-574-3860 info@liolios.com
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