The Intrado 911 Call Center Solution allows providers such as Iridium to process emergency calls without having to staff, manage, maintain and support a 911 call center.

In 2004 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specifically addressed the obligation of mobile satellite services, telematics services, multi-line telephone systems, resold and pre-paid service, and disposable phones to provide basic 911 capabilities.

According to the FCC, MSS carriers providing real-time, two-way, switched voice service interconnected with the public switched network must establish call centers to which subscribers' emergency calls are routed and then forwarded to the appropriate PSAP by February 11, 2005.

"Iridium explored developing an in-house solution, but with more than two decades of experience, Intrado was simply the best choice for the safety of our subscribers," said Dannie Stamp, chief of operations for Iridium.

"By choosing Intrado, they manage staffing, training, timing, and reporting required, and Iridium can focus on the business of providing its customers truly global satellite data and voice services."

While the FCC did not mandate specific procedures that MSS carriers must follow in establishing and operating their call centers, it did require a few minimum functionalities including: MSS carriers must ensure that call centers are accessed by dialing "911," call centers must ascertain the caller's phone number and location, and the call center must transfer or forward the call to an appropriate PSAP.

Iridium intends to offer this service in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and territorial waters.

"The Intrado 911 Call Center Solution is ideal for companies such as Iridium wishing to outsource their emergency call center functions to an established leader in public safety," said Dan Hoskins, senior vice president of sales and market development at Intrado.

"Intrado employs more certified emergency number professionals (ENP) than any other company, and we're pleased Iridium has recognized our leadership in this area and selected us to handle their call center requirements."

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