ANNAPOLIS, Md. and ARLINGTON, Va., Sept.
16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TeleCommunication Systems,
Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and
secure mobile communication technology, and the Public Broadcasting
Service (PBS) today announced that PBS has connected its Warning,
Alert and Response Network (WARN) to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA)'s alert aggregator using a customized
implementation of TCS' Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS)
gateway product. When fully operational, PBS WARN will allow
cellular providers a free backup method of receiving Wireless
Emergency Alerts (WEA) messages. The connection to FEMA is a key
step in implementing the WARN project and providing this service to
cellular companies.
News Facts:
- The PBS WARN system will deliver CMAS emergency alerts (also
known as WEA) via free, over-the-air digital TV signals broadcast
by PBS member stations and other non-commercial licensees who
receive the PBS satellite feed. Cell phone subscribers of
participating carriers in the geo-targeted area will receive these
critical messages as 90-character text messages with a unique alert
tone.
- WEA messages include presidential emergency alerts, AMBER
Alerts and warnings of imminent national and local threats to life
and property, such as natural and man-made disasters.
- Serving as a redundant pathway for the FEMA's WEA emergency
notifications, the PBS WARN system will provide wireless carriers
with a reliable and cost-effective method for strengthening their
connection to FEMA and ensuring that mobile subscribers stay
informed during times of emergency.
- Established by the WARN Act in 2006, WEA is a voluntary
national emergency alert system that is designed to deliver
critical messages to the public.
- This standards-based service utilizes the Common Alert Protocol
(CAP), the international next generation emergency alert standard,
and allows government entities to more quickly and easily issue
emergency alerts to a mobile operator's subscribers in geo-targeted
areas. By utilizing this international standard, mobile operators
are able to tie directly into a government's existing alert stream
that may already be used with radio and TV broadcast mediums.
- As one of the few vendors serving national mobile network
operators, the U.S. government and public safety officials, TCS
provides mission-critical, life-saving technology that is currently
deployed and field tested with national and regional commercial
mobile service providers (CMSPs).
- TCS' CMAS is built on the proven, patented and highly resilient
TCS Voyager™ platform, used today in emergency-based and
mission-critical TCS solutions.
- The PBS WARN system is based on a customized implementation of
TCS' CMAS gateway product, is FEMA-certified with full compliance
to the J-STD-101 "C" interface
specification and has been independently validated and verified by
FEMA using the J-STD-102 standard
test plan.
Supporting Quotes:
Dana Golub, executive director
of WARN for PBS, said, "From being involved with the creation
of the WEA standards to the design and installation of their CMAS
solutions, we have benefitted immensely from TCS' knowledge and
experience. Helping to notify the public of emergencies, disasters
and other important events is a natural extension of PBS' mission,
so we are thrilled to have reached this important milestone."
TCS Vice President, Business Development &
Mobility Solutions Keith Bhatia said, "PBS is dedicated to
serving the interests of American citizens, and they have taken
this dedication to a new level by implementing PBS WARN as a
redundant gateway for WEA messages. Through their member stations,
PBS will serve as an invaluable conduit for CMSPs whenever
emergency messages need to be transmitted."
Over the past year, TCS' highly reliable and secure mobile
communication technology powered the delivery of nearly a trillion
text messages and over 65 million wireless emergency calls. TCS
wireless technology also serves U.S. military customers with
mission-critical solutions. TCS operates the only non-operator TL
9000-certified network operations centers supporting E9-1-1, and
supports next generation emergency, text messaging and
location-based solutions. Wireless operators across the United States and abroad use TCS emergency
alerting technology. A member of the TIA and ATIS standards bodies,
TCS has been actively involved in WEA-related standards working
sessions since January 2008.
About PBS
PBS, with its over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the
opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television
and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 120 million
people through television and nearly 29 million people online,
inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature
and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front
row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array
of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most
coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through
12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help
bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV
programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and
teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing
curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about
PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org
websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook
or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program
information and updates for press are available at
pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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 annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2013.
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.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120503/PH99996LOGO)
|
Company
Contact:
|
PBS
Contact:
|
Media
Contact:
|
Investor
Relations:
|
|
Meredith
Allen
|
Aaron
Silverman
|
Nadel Phelan,
Inc.
|
Liolios Group,
Inc.
|
|
410-295-1865
|
703-739-5054
|
Graham
Sorkin
|
Scott
Liolios
|
|
MAllen@telecomsys.com
|
amsilverman@pbs.org
|
831-440-2406
|
949-574-3860
|
|
|
graham@nadelphelan.com
|
info@liolios.com
|
SOURCE TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.