Hey Duker,
This Federal mandate is a BIG key for MAPS:
Tuesday January 9, 8:14 am Eastern Time
Press Release
MapInfo Unveils PSAP Pro to Accurately Locate Mobile Callers And Reduce 911 Response Time
Meets the FCC's Wireless Mandate to Identify Location and PSAP of a Mobile Calling 911
TROY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2001--MapInfo Corporation (NASDAQ/NM:MAPS - news) today announced the release of PSAP Pro(TM) U.S., an enhanced 911 (E911) database developed with MapInfo partner Public Safety Associates, Inc. PSAP Pro enables wireless and telecommunications service providers to accurately and efficiently route E911 calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to dispatch emergency personnel based on the caller's location.
Today, when a call is received from a mobile phone, the call location cannot be accurately determined. In fact, 20 percent of emergency calls to PSAPs are from mobile phones and this number is expected to grow to 60 percent in 2002. The FCC mandate is designed to close this information gap and provide an extra measure of safety by enabling the nearest and most appropriate emergency service to be deployed effectively. With MapInfo PSAP Pro, wireless carriers can route an emergency call based on the caller's location and the PSAP's jurisdictional boundary, determining the nearest emergency center and drastically reducing response time and effectively targeting the most appropriate resources.
MapInfo PSAP Pro contains PSAP information for the United States and includes 10-digit emergency numbers, address information, administrative phone number, fax number, contact person, latitude and longitude and jurisdictional boundaries. The U.S. PSAP boundaries are based on the jurisdictional boundaries for PSAPs, not on telephone exchanges, ensuring that an E911 call can be accurately routed to the appropriate PSAP based on the location of the caller.
``By combining our PSAP list and boundaries product with MapInfo's comprehensive data, PSAP Pro provides the mobile public with the security of a speedy emergency response,'' said Rick Peters, president of Public Safety Associates, Inc. ``Together we offer the industry's first PSAP solution that contains both data and jurisdictional boundaries, significantly improving the reliability of wireless 911 services and reducing response time.''
``With PSAP Pro, wireless and telecommunications service providers ensure mobile customers a timely response to emergency needs, be it nationally or locally,'' said Michael Hickey, executive vice president, worldwide sales and marketing of MapInfo. ``This E911 database not only pinpoints the caller's location but locates the caller's most appropriate PSAP, resulting in a more rapid emergency response.''
Additional Product Information and Availability
PSAP Pro is based on the PSAP list and boundaries product originally developed by Public Safety Associates, and later compiled and distributed by Public Safety Associates and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). MapInfo telecommunications researchers verify all PSAP data and boundaries and add new and updated information regularly by directly contacting the PSAPs. MapInfo also receives quarterly updates from Public Safety Associates, which includes NENA's information on new PSAPs to ensure inclusion of the latest industry information.
MapInfo PSAP Pro will be available later this month. PSAP Pro contains Public Safety Answering Point information for the United States and contains approximately 4,400 records including both primary PSAPs and sheriff's departments and offices in areas not served by a PSAP. |
