TCS to Advise on FCC's National Reliability and Interoperability Council VII.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2004

Federal Communications Commission Brings Industry Leaders Together to Analyze Reliability of Emergency and Communications Networks

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS), a global leader in wireless data technology, announced the FCC has invited TCS to bring its wireless data technology expertise to the National Reliability and Interoperability Council VII (NRIC VII).

The objective of the NRIC VII is to provide recommendations to the FCC and the communications industry that, if implemented, will assure optimal reliability and interoperability of wireless, wireline, satellite, cable and public data networks. The charter has identified four major focus areas: Enhanced 9-1-1, Homeland Security, Network Best Practices and Broadband. Working focus groups will be established to address each of the focus areas.

The NRIC is the successor to the Network Reliability Council that was first organized by the FCC in 1992. The Council was established following a series of major service outages in various local exchange and inter-exchange wireline telephone networks. The Commission established the Council to study the causes of service outages and to develop recommendations to reduce their number and their effects on consumers.

"TCS is honored to provide its broad knowledge of mission critical wireless data technology to the NRIC VII. We have proven expertise in precise location, E9-1-1, messaging, and secure satellite communications - all areas of focus for the NRIC VII. In addition, our recent announcements concerning VoIP 9-1-1 demonstrate a technology leadership role that we are happy to provide. We stand ready to bring our extensive telecommunications experience to its best use for the safety and security of Americans," said Maurice B. Tose, Chairman, President and CEO of TCS.

The NRIC VII recommendations are intended to ensure the security and sustainability of communications networks throughout the United States; ensure the availability of adequate communications capacity during events or periods of exceptional stress due to natural disaster, terrorist attacks or similar occurrences; and facilitate the rapid restoration of telecommunications services in the event of widespread or major disruptions in the provision of communications services.

Building on the work of the previous Councils, the NRIC VII will develop Best Practices and refine or modify, as appropriate, Best Practices developed by previous Councils. The Council will coordinate with other forums including Emergency Services Interconnection Forum (ESIF), National Emergency Numbering Association (NENA), Association of Public-safety Communications Officials (APCO), and the National Association of State Nine-one-one Administrators (NASNA), so that each issue can be addressed as efficiently and comprehensively as possible.

NRIC VII will address near and long term issues and set interim and final milestones in the following areas of emergency telecommunications:

Near Term Issues for Enhanced 911 Services

Long Term Issues for Enhanced 911 Services

Network Outages and Best Practices for Enhanced 911 Services

PSAP/First Responder Communications for Enhanced 911 Services

-- Homeland Security Issues around Physical Threats

-- Homeland Security Issues around Cyber Threats

-- Network Best Practices for Wireless

-- Network Best Practices for Public Data

-- Broadband

Final Milestones will be delivered to the FCC by September 25, 2005.

ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS) is a leading provider of mission critical wireless data solutions to carriers, enterprise and government customers. TCS' wireless data offerings provide location-based Enhanced 9-1-1 services and messaging infrastructure to 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. 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.