Grayson Wireless Signs Agreement for the Supply of 911 Caller Location Systems to Verizon Wireless - Grayson Wireless division - Verizon Wireless Inc - Brief Article

Wireless Internet, Sept, 2001

Verizon Wireless has signed an agreement with Allen Telecom's Grayson Wireless division establishing the terms under which Verizon Wireless is expected to place orders for the purchase of a limited number of network-based wireless 911 caller location systems. These systems are expected to be deployed by Verizon Wireless in the Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; and ST. Louis, MA service areas. The sales value of these systems, if ordered, would be in the range of $ 10-15 million for Grayson Wireless.

Prior to execution of the supply agreement, the Verizon Wireless Technology Organization performed thousands of test calls using trial Geometrix systems in Lexington, KY; Houston, TX; and Fairfax County, VA to determine locating accuracy and speed under a variety of conditions ranging from urban to rural. Verizon Wireless' report on the most recent end to end trial in Houston (Harris Country), TX, concluded that, "The overall accuracy of the Geometrix system met the FCC requirements." The Grayson Wireless Geometrix location systems are network-based and compatible with all handsets used by Verizon Wireless customers. However, Verizon Wireless recently filed a waiver request with the FCC to permit them additional time to deploy a handset-based solution for the rest of their wireless markets.

Geometrix location system equipment will allow Verizon Wireless to rapidly provide locations of its wireless 911 callers to emergency response centers. Geometrix will not alter operations and Verizon Wireless customers will be able to use their existing handsets and current 911 calling procedures.

Emergency response centers that receive wireless 911 calls should be able to dispatch assistance with unprecedented speed and accuracy as a result of the detailed caller location data that the Geometrix systems will provide. To maintain caller privacy, Geometrix systems are designed to provide location information only when a caller initiates a 911 call.