TCS Announces General Availability of Message Notification Center; System Notifies Wireless Subscribers When They Have Corporate Voicemail.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2002

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS), a global leader in location and messaging software and E9-1-1 services for wireless carriers, and an expert in highly reliable and secure communications systems for government customers, today announced that it has developed a new product that enables legacy corporate voicemail systems to notify people on their mobile phones via Short Message Service (SMS) when they have a new voice message.

The service provides one-button reply to the voicemail system using a callback number embedded in the SMS message. As announced on October 28, 2002, Verizon Wireless has purchased and deployed the application in its network.

The TCS Message Notification Center (MNC) is an application that brings together voice and messaging applications to help increase a wireless carrier's Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). Wireless carriers can use this new feature to capture a wider group of corporate customers, increase voice traffic from additional calls into voicemail systems and increase SMS traffic.

The MNC is available for wireless and wireline carriers. The interoperability of the TCS MNC is key feature. Since corporations do not generally require employees to use a specific wireless carrier for their service, TCS' Message Distribution Center (MDC) can be used in conjunction with the MNC to provide voicemail notification delivery between carrier networks.

"Message Notification Center enables wireless subscribers to enjoy the benefits of being mobile without having to wonder if that red message light is flashing on their phone at work," said Timothy Lorello, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of TCS. "Additionally, this system provides wireless carriers with another opportunity to generate a greater return on their investment in messaging infrastructure."

Most corporate users currently have no way of being informed that they have received a voice message on their landline corporate phone when they are away from the desk. Their only recourse is to periodically check for voicemail thoughout the day - an inefficient solution given the demands that corporate users already have on their limited time.

Additionally, the latency associated with periodic polling for voicemail messages may result in overdue responses to urgent calls.

Corporate message waiting notification can be supported by more recent model voicemail systems, however there are a number of legacy systems that cannot support the Short Message Peer-to-Peer Protocol (SMPP) interface needed to send notification to the handset via the Short Message Service Center (SMSC).

TCS' Message Notification Center platform acts as a conduit to allow the legacy voicemail systems a means of providing message-waiting indication via SMS. In addition, the MNC provides a centralized platform for administering access and security controls across any number of different Voicemail Systems (VMS).

This gives the wireless carrier a common platform to control access to the service and Mobile Identification Number (MIN) screening capabilities to avoid fraud and spamming.

The Message Notification Center platform provides the foundation for future voice offerings from TCS that build upon its existing capabilities in wireless messaging and location. By bridging voice applications with messaging and location, TCS expands the offerings that carriers can provide their subscribers.

ABOUT TCS MESSAGE NOTIFICATION CENTER (MNC)

-- Appeals to both consumer and corporate market

-- Alerts shorten response times, improving customer satisfaction

-- Removes the need to carry a pager and a cell phone

-- One-button reply with embedded callback

-- Drives subscribers toward higher rate plans

-- Increases SMS volume and Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)

-- Centralizes notifications for multiple voicemail systems

-- Provides multiple levels of security to combat fraud and spam

ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS)(NASDAQ:TSYS) is a leading provider of software and solutions to wireless telecommunication carriers and to government customers requiring high reliability and security. The company's Network Applications segment is a global leader in wireless location-enhanced messaging, including E9-1-1 service to the largest US wireless carriers.

The Solutions segment enables rapid deployment of fixed and transportable communications systems using wireless, satellite, and terrestrial networks. TCS is a technology provider to leading wireless carriers worldwide including Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Cingular, Hutchison 3G and Telefonica as well as federal, state, local, and international government customers.

TCS makes connections that matter. Whether connecting people with voice, data or video in a wireless world or connecting our customers and shareholders with long-term value, TCS delivers competitive, reliable and secure products, services and solutions to meet these needs. For more information visit www.telecomsys.com.

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

These statements are based upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.

The actual results realized by the Company could differ materially from the statements made herein, depending in particular upon the risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

These include without limitation risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's financial results and the ability of the Company to (i) reach profitability as early as anticipated, (ii) continue to rely on its customers and other third parties to provide additional products and services that create a demand its products and services, (iii) conduct its business in foreign countries, (iv) adapt and integrate new technologies into its products, (v) expand its business offerings in the new wireless data industry, (vi) develop software without any errors or defects, (vii) protect its intellectual property rights, and (viii) implement its sales and marketing strategy.

Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.