Neutral Tandem Inc. (Nasdaq:TNDM), Chicago, a provider of tandem
services to wireless, wireline, cable telephony, and VoIP providers, has
announced its compliance with the Government Emergency
Telecommunications Service (GETS) for Neutral Tandem's IP-based
switching architecture. GETS is a White House-directed emergency
telecommunications service managed by the Department of Homeland
Security. It provides emergency access and priority processing in the
local and long distance segments of the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN), including for wireless calls.
"We are committed to improving the integrity of the
nation's telecommunications infrastructure," said Rian Wren,
Chief Executive Officer at Neutral Tandem. "Becoming not only the
first competitive tandem service provider to secure this certification
but also the first IP-based GETS-compliant tandem service provider, is
consistent with the significant nationwide investments Neutral Tandem
has made in providing diverse tandem switching for competitive
carriers."
"Expanding GETS to Neutral Tandem increases the robustness of
this critical telecommunication service for National Security /
Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) individuals, and takes a step forward in
evolving GETS to the Next Generation IP Networks," commented Dennis
Berg, Deputy Program Director at Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC),
the National Communication System's integration contractor.
Neutral Tandem has invested millions of dollars building critical
network infrastructure in the U.S., particularly in the Atlantic and
Gulf State regions threatened by Hurricanes and Tropical Storms. Neutral
Tandem currently provides service in nineteen markets in Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.
"One of our central focuses has been building out our
infrastructure within the Gulf states. We are now operational in nine
Florida markets and are one of the few carriers to invest in
post-Katrina New Orleans," said Wren.
Within the Atlantic and Gulf State Regions, Neutral Tandem is
operational in Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama; Fort Myers,
Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee and
Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, Georgia; New Orleans,
Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville,
South Carolina; and Dallas, Texas. The company expects to be operational
in Montgomery, Alabama and Daytona Beach, Florida within the first
quarter of 2008.
About Neutral Tandem, Inc.
Headquartered in Chicago, Neutral Tandem, Inc. is a leading
provider of tandem services primarily to wireless, wireline, cable and
VoIP providers. Founded in 2003, Neutral Tandem facilitates
inter-carrier communications with a cost-effective alternative to the
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) network. Neutral Tandem's
solutions build redundancy, security and operational efficiencies into
the nation's telecommunications infrastructure. As of November 30,
2007, Neutral Tandem was capable of connecting approximately 245 million
telephone numbers assigned to carriers.
For more information, visit http://www.neutraltandem.com or call
312/384-8041.
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