EQ Embarq Corp

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Three Florida counties today announced their participation in a Next Generation E911 network being deployed by EMBARQ. The new services offer the counties regional interoperability for 911 call-delivery via MPLS and an easy migration path for the delivery of multi-media input streams into their PSAPs when the standards are finalized. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060516/EMBARQLOGO) Using a State of Florida 911 grant, Lake, Okaloosa and Walton counties are participating in this leading-edge transition toward their goal of moving to Next Generation (NextGen) deployments. "We are looking forward to working with an innovative provider willing to work on the cutting edge of E-911 technology," said Michelle Gatlin, E911 Coordinator for Walton County. "EMBARQ is providing that solution." PSAPs across the nation are focusing on interoperability among E-911 agencies, as well as converged networks, working to maximize dispatcher efficiencies while minimizing costs. To help meet this demand, EMBARQ provides IP solutions like Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and other network features. "We offer a variety of network and equipment options, and we have a long and successful history of working with PSAPs to help them meet their public safety goals," said Rob Roache, EMBARQ area vice president-sales. "We're especially pleased to work these innovative PSAPs in moving toward NextGen." All of the counties' deployments are developing well. "EMBARQ put a solution together for a turnkey NextGen 911 Center upgrade and we are looking forward to our enhancements this year," said Okaloosa County E911 Communications Chief Silvia Womack. "It is important for all of us to move toward greater interoperability and to ensure survivability." Bruce Thorburn, E911 director for Lake County, said the coordination among the various PSAPs has been remarkably smooth. "Once the upgrades are complete, the integrated network will provide an even more robust and integrated public safety solution," he said. EMBARQ, the participating PSAPs, and a couple of important vendors have forged a strong working relationship as they keep the ultimate goal of public safety in mind. "The coordination among our deployment teams, the vendors and the PSAPs has been remarkable," Roache said. "This effort will provide a robust and integrated public safety solution intended to keep E-911 centers in a constant state of readiness." Once the upgrades are complete, the integrated network will provide interoperability of location-based services among PSAPs participating in this converged solution." EMBARQ made use of its relationship with SolaCom for the routing technology necessary to effectively route, legacy 911 calls, as well as its converged IP network calls to the appropriate PSAP agency. "SolaCom is committed to providing IP-based solutions designed specifically to meet NextGen requirements while maintaining existing public safety operations," said Tony Parrott, vice president of sales for SolaCom. "Our solutions promote interoperability and improved communication among agencies." In addition, 911 Datamaster is providing a database solution to meet the needs of location identification interoperability to the PSAPs that participated in the Florida state grant process. "EMBARQ continues to demonstrate that quality comes first, as it builds a clear, logical, and cost-effective NextGen roadmap for its customers," said Eric J. Regnier, vice president-business development and strategy with 911 Datamaster. "We are eager to support EMBARQ's vision for real-world, value-added solutions." EMBARQ will be featuring its partnered solution June 8-9 at this year's National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Annual Conference and Trade Show in Ft. Worth, Texas. Conference attendees can stop by booth #823 to see EMBARQ's Public Safety Integration Team. About EMBARQ Embarq Corporation (NYSE:EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., offers a complete suite of communications services. The company operates in 18 states. EMBARQ is included in the Fortune 500(R) list of America's largest corporations. For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable Local and Long Distance Home Phone Service, High-Speed Internet, Wireless and Satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one monthly bill. For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio includes Local Voice and Data services, Long Distance, Business-Class High-Speed Internet, Wireless, Satellite TV from DIRECTV(R), enhanced Data Network Services, Voice and Data communication equipment and Managed Network Services. For more information, visit EMBARQ.com. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060516/EMBARQLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: EMBARQ CONTACT: Tom Matthews of EMBARQ, +1-407-889-6072, Web Site: http://www.embarq.com/

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