Edge Wireless LLC Announces Handset-Based E9-1-1 Solution in Oregon
BEND, Ore. and BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash.--Jan. 22, 2002--Edge Wireless Partners With Airbiquity and Oregon Office of
Emergency Management to Offer GPS-Enabled Handsets to Meet FCC's
Phase II Mandate
Mobile phone customers in Oregon will have access to the safety and security of wireless 9-1-1 services under a deal announced today by Edge Wireless, LLC, a member of the AT&T Wireless Network, and location technology provider Airbiquity Inc.
The service will launch first in the counties of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Josephine, whose combined 9,400 square mile area is six times the size of the state of Rhode Island.
The agreement addresses the critical public safety issue of determining the location of wireless callers dialing 9-1-1. Emergency service providers refer to the "Golden Hour," immediately following an accident, during which 85 percent of victims can be saved if they receive medical attention.
However, according to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), nearly one-third of all accident victims in rural areas do not arrive at the hospital within an hour, largely due to the inability of public safety providers to quickly locate the victims, and reach the scene.
"The safety and security of our subscribers is our top priority -- especially in our mostly rural service areas, where residents are often the last to benefit from new technologies," said Donnie Castleman, president and chief operating officer of Edge Wireless. "We are proud to have the full support of local public safety decision makers, and will work closely with them as we launch our initial rollout in the state of Oregon."
To assist the delivery of emergency services to cell phone users, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is requiring wireless telecommunications service providers to determine the physical location of all callers who dial 9-1-1 from mobile phones by the end of 2005.
Edge Wireless is supporting the FCC's requirement, known as "Phase II," by offering its customers Airbiquity's GPS Accessory, which is compatible with Nokia-brand wireless phones. With this attachment, an Edge Wireless subscriber can send location information to a public safety answering point (PSAP) when dialing 9-1-1 on their cell phone, enabling emergency service providers to shave crucial minutes off of their deployment and arrival time.
"Airbiquity's GPS Accessory provides an immediate, accurate location solution for Edge Wireless that is quick to deploy and requires no infrastructure investment by Edge," said Dan Allen, president and CEO of Airbiquity. "Since the accessory is suited to both new phone and after-market sales, carriers like Edge can realize the FCC's goal of equipping 95 percent of all handsets with GPS capability by the end of 2005."
Ken Keim, section director for technology and response services at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, also welcomed the news: "The Oregon Office of Emergency Management applauds the aggressive compliance actions of Edge Wireless, and believes their plan will accelerate wireless caller location capability months - perhaps years - earlier than network-based technologies."
Keim said that Oregon will begin outfitting its PSAPs with the equipment required to implement the wireless 9-1-1 technology during the first quarter of 2002.
Edge Wireless is the first TDMA wireless carrier in the United States to offer a GPS-based handset solution for E9-1-1 and commercial location services. The GPS Accessory will be sold through Edge Wireless retail outlets in Oregon beginning in the first quarter of 2002.
About Airbiquity
Airbiquity(TM) (www.airbiquity.com) is the location technology company that delivers global positioning system (GPS) data to any wireless network worldwide. The company's patented aqLink(TM) software enables wireless carriers, automobile manufacturers, commercial call centers and Internet portals to offer their subscribers location-based services that enhance productivity, manage assets, and deliver personalized content.
Airbiquity's top-tier customers include AAA, RESPONSE Services Center (a wholly owned subsidiary of AAA), Wingcast (a joint venture of Ford Motor Company and Qualcomm Incorporated), Agere Systems (formerly Lucent Microelectronics), Security Associates International, and Entrust Connections.
About Edge Wireless
Edge Wireless, LLC, (http://www.edgewireless.com) headquartered in Bend, OR., offers service in portions of Oregon, California, Idaho and Wyoming. Edge Wireless is a member of the AT&T Wireless Network. All inquiries regarding Edge Wireless should be directed to Darla Pomeroy at 541/312-5451. Edge Wireless is a service mark of Edge Wireless, LLC. (c) 2002 Edge Wireless, LLC.
The press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because these statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
Factors that could affect actual results include: the company's limited operating history, the need for additional financing, variable economic conditions and customer tastes, regulatory risks, and restrictions imposed by existing debts and future payment obligations.
Airbiquity and aqLink are trademarks of Airbiquity Inc.
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