NEW YORK-Xypoint Corp., Seattle, has developed a wireless Enhanced 911 solution that doesn’t require carriers to install a Home Location Register or other expensive hardware or software in their networks.
Ken Arneson, president and chief executive officer, said the solution builds on the Integrated Services Digital Network User Part, or ISUP, that equipment vendors already have included as part of their network infrastructure. The new offering is the first service in Xypoint’s planned line of Location Enhanced Network Services, or LENS. Hence the product name, ISUP LENS.
“Initial implementation of ISUP LENS will begin in January with several major carriers,” Xypoint said. The company did not disclose the carriers.
ISUP LENS supports the initial and second phases of the Federal Communications Commission order regarding E911 services. Starting next year, wireless carriers must provide public safety answering points with a 10-digit call-back number and originating cell location for every 911 call they handle. By 2001, carriers must provide more precise caller location information.
Xypoint also supports the Transaction Capabilities Application Part, a protocol under development to provide TCAP messaging for location-enhanced wireless services. However, no TCAP standard for this purpose has been developed to date. Once it is, TCAP will require manufacturers to develop and implement new software in the mobile switching center.
Larry Corvari, vice president of engineering for Xypoint, said he doesn’t anticipate that all switch manufacturers will have TCAP messaging for wireless E911 available in the near future. Lack of its availability could delay implementation of wireless E911 services, he said.
For all of these reasons, Xypoint developed the ISUP LENS solution, which requires only “easily implemented switch translations,” the company said.
