TCS Issued Patent for Inter-Carrier Messaging

Market Wire, October, 2008

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a leading provider of mission-critical wireless communications, today announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent number 7,430,425 for "Inter-Carrier Digital Message with User Data Payload Service Providing Phone Number Only Experience."

This TCS invention allows a wireless subscriber to send a digital message to a user on a different wireless carrier by addressing the message with only a phone number. The rapid growth of SMS and MMS in the U.S. is largely attributed to the wireless carriers implementing inter-carrier messaging. Industry data show that message volumes have been doubling in the U.S. since the advent of inter-carrier messaging in 2002. The most recent industry data from CTIA states that U.S. SMS messages reached 75 billion in the month of June 2008, a 160 percent growth rate from one year ago.

"The popularity of SMS and MMS messaging is due in large part to the ability of wireless users to send their messages to anyone by only knowing their phone number," said Drew Morin, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer for TCS. "TCS is proud to have helped pave the way for the success of SMS and MMS in the U.S. with our technological innovation."

TCS now holds 64 patents with 194 applications pending.

About The Invention

The "Inter-Carrier Digital Message with User Data Payload Service Providing Phone Number Only Experience" patent describes a system, method and apparatus for processing a digital message with user payload addressed with a phone number only. A database(s) associates a different carrier and routing syntax to the phone number to which the message is addressed. The digital message is then routed to the recipient carrier. The digital message also can be an email and the routable address also can be an email address.

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) engineers and delivers highly reliable wireless communications technology. TCS is a leader in wireless text messaging and location-based technology, including E9-1-1 services and commercial applications like navigation that use the precise location of a wireless device, and secure satellite-based communications systems and services. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, cable MSOs, automotive telematics vendors, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. TCS is one of six primary vendors on a $5 billion Army Worldwide Satellite Systems Contract vehicle. For more information, visit www.telecomsys.com .

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within 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 subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Risks include those detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

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.

Company Contact: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Meredith Allen 410-295-1865 MAllen@telecomsys.com Media Contact: Welz & Weisel Communications Evan Weisel 703-218-3555 evan@w2comm.com Investor Relations: Liolios Group, Inc. Scott Liolios 949-574-3860 info@liolios.com