SANTA CLARA, Calif. and ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- October 11, 2005 ? 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT), the Packet8 broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communications service provider, and TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) (NasdaqNM: TSYS), a leading provider of mission critical wireless communications, have signed an agreement to partner to provide all of 8x8's Packet8 subscribers with new, roaming E9-1-1 services, regardless of the site location from which the voice and video services are utilized.
Prompted by a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling regarding the mandatory availability of nomadic E9-1-1 on all Internet telephony services which interconnect with the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN), the agreement with TCS moves 8x8, Inc. one step further towards migrating its existing fixed- line E9-1-1 services to achieve compliance with the FCC directive by the November 29, 2005 deadline.
?Offering Packet8 subscribers an effective and reliable E9-1-1 solution has always been a priority for 8x8, as evidenced by our pioneering role in being the first VoIP service provider to offer true, replacement enhanced 911 services to our subscribers beginning in June 2004, more than a year ahead of the FCC's actions,? said 8x8 Chairman and CEO Bryan Martin. ?We selected TCS because of its years of demonstrated expertise in wireless E911. This selection will provide Packet 8 subscribers with access to the most advanced E911 technologies available. Our subscribers can expect to receive the same response to a 911 call placed on their Packet8 service as calls made from a PSTN line, no matter where their emergency calls are placed in the U.S.?
TCS? VoIP E9-1-1 solution provides real-time address validation for all Packet8 subscribers?whether they are 'static? (placing all calls from one location) or ?nomadic? (moving from one location to other locations) users, or, ultimately, when subscribers are constantly mobile. TCS? technology provides advanced address verification tools, routing key access infrastructure and boundary information for each Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) in the United States to determine the correct PSAP and the level of emergency service available to Packet8 subscribers.
"TCS is working with 8x8, the major backbone providers, and the public safety community to provide the most comprehensive and accessible E9-1-1 VoIP call routing and delivery service in the U.S.,? said Drew Morin, Chief Technology Officer for TCS. ?We believe the dedication and foresight of companies such as 8x8 to implement proven solutions will lead to success in addressing the critical needs of the VoIP market for public safety. TCS? wireless model has been active in the marketplace for over 8 years now. We continue to build on that proven model in the VoIP space.?
For Immediate Release
An integral component of the E911 provisioning process is the affirmation by the VoIP
subscriber of the address where the subscriber is currently located. Packet8 encourages its subscribers to routinely update their location information as they change locations and enter frequently used addresses in Packet8's database to accommodate geographic location changes that may result from regular business and/or vacation travel. Subscribers can log onto their account page at www.packet8.net to verify their current service address information. 8x8 plans to upgrade the software in all Packet8 customer premise equipment (CPE) in October in order to enable these new E911 capabilities, as well as to expand upon the feature set available to all Packet8 customers.
