ANNAPOLIS, MD--(Marketwire - Oct 24, 2011) - TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: [ TSYS ]), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology, today announced it has received certification by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for its Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS). The company successfully met FEMA's CMAS ATIS/TIA J-102 (Section 5.3-Inter-Gateway Test Cases) standards testing in order to qualify for the certification.

With this CMAS certification, wireless carriers utilizing TCS' system are assured of interoperability testing (IOT) compliance in time for the April 7, 2012 CMAS implementation deadline and will not need to spend additional time and resources going through the testing process. There are approximately 140 wireless carriers who have opted to participate in FEMA's program, either in full or in part.

"FEMA is the independent, impartial evaluator of CMAS, and TCS is honored to have received its solution interoperability certification," said Jay Whitehurst, senior vice president, commercial software for TCS. "Wireless carriers who are participating in the CMAS program can now purchase access to a proven, easily deployed and already-certified CMAS solution."

CMAS is the result of an executive order signed by the president in October 2006 which mandated the development of an emergency alert system for U.S. residents to be delivered via mobile phones. Over the past five years, FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), TCS and others have developed a standard which uses cell broadcast technology to ensure that emergency messages will not be caught up in point-to-point congestion that can occur during an emergency. CMAS will deliver 90-character, geographically targeted alerts about imminent threats to life and property, Presidential Alerts (such as a notification of a terrorist attack) and AMBER alerts. Mobile phone subscribers in the area at risk will receive the alerts in the form of a short text message and a special sound and vibration on any CMAS-compliant handset. The alert will notify mobile phone users of the emergency and tell them how to obtain additional information regarding it.

As the leading U.S.-based technology provider for text messaging, public safety and location solutions, TCS powered the delivery of nearly one trillion text messages and half of all wireless 9-1-1 calls in 2010 alone. With the nation's only non-carrier TL 9000-certified network operations center (NOC), as well as extensive provision of E9-1-1, text messaging, and location-based services, TCS possesses the experience and technical capabilities necessary to position carrier customers to meet the FCC's CMAS requirements. For additional information on TCS' CMAS solution, please visit: [ http://www.telecomsys.com/products/CMAS/default.aspx ].

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 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 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.