RICHARDSON, Texas -- The Wireless Business Unit of Marconi Corporation plc (London: MONI) announced today the launch and general availability of its innovative E911 Compliance Program. This program enables wireless network operators to quickly and efficiently meet Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates, avoid financial penalties for non-compliance, and streamline the recovery of funds specifically earmarked for E911 initiatives.

"For over two years, Marconi Wireless has led the way in delivering professional services in support of E911 initiatives for wireless service providers," stated Ian Chapman, Vice President of Location Based Services (LBS) and E911 Initiatives for Marconi's Wireless Business Unit. "Our expertise helps reduce the sizeable demands placed on operators by the FCC's E911 compliance imperatives. Our services and industry-first software solutions enable them to quickly and efficiently design, deploy and test E911 services, enabling operators to focus on what they do best - provide dependable wireless services."

There are four key components to the Marconi Wireless E911 Compliance Program. The portfolio includes Planning and Program Management, E911/LBS Software Tools, Solution-based Implementation, and Continuing Assurance.

Planning and Program Management

In the planning and management of carrier E911 programs, Marconi thoroughly analyzes each customer's needs, drawing upon the experience gained in over two years of E911-related projects to formulate a full E911 Compliance Evolution Plan that not only establishes specific tasks and deliverables, but also identifies the optimal set of solutions and services to achieve E911 compliance within established timelines. Marconi will then execute the plan objectives and maintain complete oversight of project management, reducing the risk of fines and other liabilities by providing the required internal and FCC deliverables for FCC compliance.

Software-enabled Solutions

Marconi has long led the network planning software industry. For E911/LBS design and optimization, Planet EV, the next-generation version of the leading network planning and optimization tool, and Base Station Almanac (BSA) Planner, a customized planning module developed specifically for LBS/E911 applications, are at the core of the Marconi E911 Compliance Program. BSA Planner, created specifically for Planet EV, improves the hybrid aspects of gpsOne performance by providing accurate, up-to-date network configuration, base station geometry, and RF environment information. Marconi also augments its own software suite by incorporating key industry LBS/E911 technology vendor products and alliance partner software tools including accuracy assurance, network security and database synchronization.

Solution-based Implementation

The E911 Compliance Program combines these proven software solutions with proprietary procedures derived from Marconi's field-proven experience in providing E911 implementation support to major North American carriers, and in using applicable Best Practices (BPs) as defined by the FCC's Network Reliability and Inter-operability Council (NRIC) established by industry and government experts. This combination further reduces the wireless network operators' risk of failing to meet compliance mandates by applying the appropriate combination of the most up-to-date procedures and technology developed specifically to meet E911 objectives, while positioning the network for future revenue-generating applications of location based services (LBS).

Continuing Assurance

The E911 Compliance Program is wrapped into a turnkey deliverable by implementing Marconi's continuing assurance offering that allows each network operator to become, or remain, fully compliant with regulatory requirements. E911 compliance is a dynamic function that requires periodic action and submittals to demonstrate that the network remains compliant after ongoing network expansion and optimization projects. Marconi interfaces with the appropriate E911 governing entities to ensure that the latest requirements are included in the wireless network operator's compliance deliverables.

"We are committed to providing a caller's location quickly, accurately and consistently for all E911 calls on our network," said Roger Linquist, president and CEO of MetroPCS. "We confidently made the decision to utilize the expertise of Marconi and their partners for implementation of this critical requirement."

Marconi Corp. plc