Verizon Wireless signs E911 contract with TCS

24 Jun 2002 at 07:59 GMT Timo Poropudas

Verizon Wireless has signed a five year agreement with TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) for a Phase I and Phase II wireless Enhanced 911 (E-911) location service to approximately fifty percent of Verizon Wireless’ cell sites nationwide.

Verizon Wireless recently reported to the Federal Communications Commission that it has achieved E-911 Phase II milestones by deploying handset-based technologies and network upgrades.

Since 1998, Verizon Wireless, working with TCS, has been an industry leader in deploying Phase I E-911 service. Verizon Wireless uses the TCS Xypoint Location Platform to provide the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with the wireless caller’s phone number as well as location information for emergency assistance calls originated from wireless phones. As of April 15, 2002, Verizon Wireless has deployed Phase I service to more than 1,350 PSAPs throughout the country.

The agreement consolidates the existing contracts that TCS had with several of the carriers that merged to form Verizon Wireless, including Airtouch, PrimeCo and GTE Wireless and reinforces the long-standing relationship between the two companies.

TCS announced last November that Cingular Wireless has selected its Xypoint Location Platform as one of the vendors providing support for the company's Phase I and II wireless E911 location service.