FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 06, 2009

TIA Issues All-IP Network Emergency Call Support Stage 1 Requirements

New Standard Defines System Requirements for VoIP Emergency Calls

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, recently unveiled TIA-1133 All-IP Network Emergency Call Support - Stage 1 Requirements.

The introduction of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), and other air interfaces, necessitated and emphasized the importance of adding support for emergency calls in these communications platforms. (Note that "Emergency Call" can be defined as a call requiring connection to a public safety authority.) TIA recognized that need and developed the system requirements for All-IP Network Emergency Call Support, specified in TIA-1133.

TIA-1133 is intended to develop the generic emergency call system capability in an All-IP Network that can be used to support the "Emergency Call" in accordance with any regional regulatory requirements, if so desired. It is important to note that the development of such a system capability itself should not be construed as a regional regulatory issue. This specification is intended to provide a general functionality with the flexibility needed to support variances in regional regulatory requirements.

TIA-1133 notes that emergency services are not a subscribed service of the caller but are provided by the local area, from which the caller accesses the network. Emergency services may require priority treatment such as providing a high-quality bearer path regardless of subscription. The initial capability provided by this feature includes support for VoIP emergency calls to emergency call centers accessed via the circuit-switched network or the packet-switched network. When a VoIP emergency call is initiated, it is routed to an appropriate emergency call center serving the geographic area of the caller.

TIA-1133 outlines system requirements for:

• Emergency Call Establishment
• Emergency Call Routing
• Callback
• Geographical Location of Caller
• Emergency Call Continuity
• Call Detail Record
• Interactions With Other Wireless Services

TIA-1133 was formulated under the cognizance of TIA Engineering Committee TR-45 Mobile & Personal Communications Systems, TR-45.2 Subcommittee on Wireless Intersystem Technology.

As TR-45 looks toward the future, consideration is being given to extend the scope of this standard to include support for additional media during an emergency call (e.g., text messaging, sending and receiving pictures and video signals) and support for improved voice quality enabled by means of a wideband codec over VoIP.

To obtain copies of the document, contact IHS International at +1.800.854.7179 (United States and Canada); +1.303.397.7796 (international) or visit global.ihs.com.

For technical information, please contact Peter Bogard at pbogard@tiaonline.org. For media inquiries, please contact Mike Snyder: msnyder@tiaonline.org.

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TR-45 member companies include: Aeroflex; Agilent Technologies, Inc.; AirCell, LLC; Airvana, Inc.; Alcatel-Lucent; ALLTEL Communications, Inc.; Apple; AT&T; Bell Canada; Bridgewater Systems Inc.; Camiant; CDMA Development Group; Cingular Wireless; Cisco Systems, Inc.; CML Microcircuits (USA) Inc.; CommFlow Resources Inc.; CSI Telecommunications; Defense Information Systems Agency; DoCoMo Communications Lab USA, Inc.; Dolby Laboratories Inc.; Ericsson Inc.; ETI Connect; FBI; FTR&D LLC; Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.; Gemalto INC; Hitachi Telecom (USA) Inc.; Huawei Technologies USA; Hughes Network Systems, LLC; I'M Technologies Ltd.; Intel Corporation; Intellon; Intrado; IP Fabrics; Kyocera Sanyo Telecom, Inc.; LG InfoComm U.S.A., Inc.; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Marketing Information Technologies, Inc. (MIT); Maz-Sky Canadian International Group, Inc.; Motorola, Inc.; Movius Interactive Corporation; National Communications System; NeuStar Inc.; Nokia Siemens Networks; Nokia, Inc.; Nortel Networks; ORCA SYSTEMS, INC.; Panasonic Computer Solutions Company; Prysmian Cables and Systems; QUALCOMM; Research In Motion Corporation; Rogers Wireless; Rohde & Schwarz, Inc.; RTKL Associates Inc.; Samsung Electronics; Samsung Telecom America; Sharp Laboratories of America; Sierra Wireless America, Inc.; Sigma Delta Communications, Inc.; Space Data Corporation; Spirent Communications; Sprint Nextel; SS8 Networks, Inc.; Starent Networks Corporation; Tatara Systems; Telcordia Technologies; TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.; Telus Mobility; Texas Instruments, Inc.; US Cellular; UTStarcom, Inc.; Verizon Wireless; VIA Telecom; ZTE USA, Inc.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members’ products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA’s Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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