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TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.: TeleCommunication Systems Supports NENA's Call to Cease State Government Raiding of 9-1-1 Fund

^{Published on 2009-07-15 10:56:26, Last Modified on 2009-07-15 10:56:34 - Market Wire}
 

ANNAPOLIS, MD--(Marketwire - July 15, 2009) - TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: [ TSYS ]), a leading provider of wireless communications technology, announced today that it supports the efforts of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) to prohibit state legislatures from raiding critical 9-1-1 funding. The economic recession has devastated the revenues of many states, forcing legislatures to search for extra dollars in other areas of their budgets. Many states have found caches of money in 9-1-1 funds that have been accumulated by 9-1-1 authorities over the years to pay for equipment and service upgrades. The redirection of these funds could have disastrous consequences on the preparedness and future viability of many 9-1-1 authorities to upgrade their technologies as needed.

"What is not recognized by the current situation is that the voters continue to support activities that they see as valuable and as well managed," said Bob Oenning, Director of 9-1-1 for the State of Washington. "Even with tight money, there is support for those things of value, including 9-1-1. Taking these funds not only endangers the ability for states to keep 9-1-1 viable, it inserts a degree of distrust into one of the nation's most trusted services."

Harriet Miller-Brown, 9-1-1 State Administrator for Michigan State Police added, "While times are tight for everyone, using 9-1-1 funds for non-public safety purposes can hamper the delivery of 9-1-1 services, in the present and the future. The daily operational costs such as payroll, communications systems and training are essential to effective 9-1-1 services. Furthermore, 9-1-1 technology is in a state of growth; if emergency call answering and dispatching services are expected to keep up with the evolving technology facing them, the resources must be available for them to do that."

TCS has been enabling wireless E9-1-1 services for over a decade. Its E9-1-1 system, which provides cable, VoIP and wireless E9-1-1 service for more than 140 million wireless and IP-enabled devices, is used to ensure that consumers' emergency calls are routed to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and automatically pinpoint and deliver a caller's location information. TCS pioneered the methods by which PSAPs in the U.S. are able to receive a wireless or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscriber's location during calls for emergency assistance. In addition, TCS currently operates the only TL9000-certified wireless and VoIP E9-1-1 Network Operations Center in the world and supports emergency services for over 150,000 E9-1-1 calls daily.

For additional information the NENA policy statement can be found at:[ http://www.nena.org/sites/default/files/NENA%20-%20NASNA-%209IA%20Policy%20Statement%20Opposing%20State%20Raiding%20of%209-1-1%20Funds.pdf ].

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: [ TSYS ]) engineers and delivers highly reliable wireless communications technology. TCS is a leader in wireless text messaging and location-based technology, including E9-1-1 services and commercial applications like navigation that use the precise location of a wireless device, and secure satellite-based communications systems and services. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, cable MSOs, automotive telematics vendors, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. TCS is one of six primary vendors on a $5 billion Army Worldwide Satellite Systems Contract vehicle. For more information, 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's 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, 2008, and the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

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.