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TCS Manassas, Virginia Teleport and Optional Deployable Systems Now Serve Eight Regions Around the World.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS), a leading provider of mission critical wireless communications says that it has added satellite coverage for  Africa, increasing the breadth of its SwiftLink Global Satellite Service (GSS).

Since the service launched in August 2005, TCS has contracted with five federal and government agencies and has commissioned approximately 20 customers. SwiftLink GSS currently covers 70 percent of the world's populated regions and includes North and South America, Africa, Western Europe, West Asia and the Middle East.

SwiftLink GSS service is designed to provide readily available high-speed access for traveling VIPs, disaster response teams, deployed military units and any information specialist requiring a flexible and easy-to-use communications capability. It can be used to connect directly to the Internet or to private networks. Customers benefit by being able to use one managed system for all of their satellite communications needs.

The core SwiftLink GSS network is co-located with the TCS Manassas Teleport. It is fully redundant with expanded 24x7 monitor and control functions and new design features that allow for seamless growth and expansion. It is a Ku-band commercial service utilizing the iDirect Technologies, Inc. Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based Internet Protocol (IP) platform.

The SwiftLink GSS supports Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) users that need access to centralized private information or to public telecommunication systems. It provides broadband satellite services to support the reach-back requirements of customers with fixed or mobile VSATs and offers rapid availability of service options with flexible pricing plans for short-and medium-term operations. Additional technology improvements made to SwiftLink GSS include the automation of satellite bandwidth coordination between TCS Teleports and deployable SwiftLink products such as TCS' VSAT-90 and VSAT-100. By leveraging today's advancements, SwiftLink GSS provides users with unprecedented "same day" service activation for broadband satellite services.

TCS recently upgraded the SwiftLink GSS Layer-3 network to include self-healing features and carrier-class infrastructure, creating world-class capability. The upgrades extend to SwiftLink GSS Teleports around the world, including TCS partner teleports, ensuring redundant connectivity throughout the near global network. The new network design further enhances the end-user's experience and delivers timely, effective technical support.

Amy Gwinn, Director of Satellite Services for TCS, stated, "TCS is aiming toward a comprehensive capability with its SwiftLink Global Satellite Service offering. By adding Africa to the network, we are taking another step toward providing seamless global network roaming to our customers. Combining SwiftLink GSS with our proven SwiftLink products allows TCS to genuinely support our customers' telecommunication requirements with an end-to-end solution as they operate and communicate throughout the world.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) is a leading provider of mission critical wireless communications to carriers, enterprise and government customers. TCS' wireless data offerings include location-based Enhanced 9-1-1 services, and messaging and location service infrastructure for wireless operators; real-time market data and alerts to financial institutions; mobile asset management and mobile office solutions for enterprises; and encrypted satellite communications to government customers.