TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure wireless communication technology, commends the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) decision to adopt rules to help emergency responders better locate wireless 9-1-1 callers.
With more Americans relying solely on wireless phones to call 9-1-1, the updates to the Commission’s Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) rules will help first responders to locate 9-1-1 wireless callers more accurately regardless if they are indoors or outdoors. The new rules take advantage of technological developments that will allow for more accurate location information to be transmitted with indoor 911 calls.
The ruling advances wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy, including the use of newer technologies for giving a ‘dispatchable location’ to first responders. A dispatchable location adds details such as floor, suite or apartment to the civic address of the calling party, helping to enable a quick, direct response by first responders.
TCS Senior Vice President, Safety & Security Group, Lynne Seitz, comments: “The FCC’s effort to incorporate feedback from the carriers, vendors, CTIA, APCO, and NENA into its regulatory approach will revolutionize the way in which public safety receives the location of future 9-1-1 callers. Over the last few months, TCS has presented technology demonstrations and analysis on the potential for providing dispatchable location for 9-1-1 callers. By placing an emphasis on using dispatchable location to meet wireless indoor location accuracy requirements, the recent FCC ruling allows wireless carriers to meet their obligations by providing this achievable “gold standard” for indoor location. This is a significant change from previous x/y/z location approaches and acknowledges the power and prevalence of Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® infrastructure. Adding indoor, dispatchable location into our wireless rules for E9-1-1 will help first responders quickly and efficiently locate callers and help save more lives.”
News Facts:
*The Commission today updated its E9-1-1 rules to include requirements focused on indoor location accuracy.
*TCS supports the FCC rules that encourage both dispatchable and heightened location information for use in emergency response situations.
*Data from the millions of wireless 9-1-1 calls that TCS processes indicate that more wireless 9-1-1 calls are coming from indoor locations, so TCS supports the FCC’s rules on this growing need and opportunity to apply new technology to locate indoor 91-1 callers. TCS provides location-based routing and enhanced location delivery for about half of all wireless 9-1-1 calls in the United States.
*Approximately 40% of the general population now uses only wireless phones for their voice communication, and about 70% of all 9-1-1 calls come from wireless phones.
*TCS reconfirms its support of all technologies considered and agrees with the Commission that “no single technological approach will solve the challenge of indoor location, and no solution can be implemented overnight.”
*TCS provides location infrastructure and solutions that support multi-GNSS technologies including Assisted-GPS, OTDOA (Observed Time Difference of Arrival), and dispatchable location and works with leading industry providers of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies.
Since deploying the first U.S. wireless E9-1-1 solution in 1998, TCS has been leading public safety solutions for wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1), NG9-1-1 and E1-1-2. TCS supports about half of all U.S. wireless E9-1-1 calls, serving more than 140 million wireless and IP-enabled devices. TCS is leading the enablement of text-to 9-1-1, and TCS also leads the nation in emergency services IP network (ESInet) deployments. TCS is the only non-carrier TL 9000-certified company that supports E9-1-1 services. Its E9-1-1 and NG9-1-1 solutions ensure that a subscriber's emergency call is routed to the appropriate PSAP and automatically pinpoints the caller's location information. For more information visit: TCS Public Safety Solutions.
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, hyperlocal 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’ cybersecurity expertise, professional services, and highly secure deployable satellite solutions for mission-critical communications. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, TCS maintains technical, service, and sales offices around the world.
To learn more about emerging and innovative wireless technologies, visit www.telecomsys.com.
