MEDIA ADVISORY

Telecommunications Carriers Respond to Congress' Declaration of April as National 9-1-1 Education Month

Leading Emergency Stand Alone switch provider sees telcos looking to find viable solutions
for improving public safety and network resiliency for all Americans

WHO: Steven Bruny, CEO, Aztek Networks (www.azteknetworks.net)

A veteran in the telecommunications industry with more than 20 years experience, Bruny has served as CEO of Aztek Networks, the leader in Emergency Stand Alone (ESA) equipment for enabling network switch collapse since June of 2006. Prior to being named to his current post, Bruny was president of the Americas for Azure Solutions, the world leader in revenue assurance and fraud software for the telecom industry. Azure was acquired by Subex Systems, Ltd., in June of 2006. Bruny was the Founder and COO of Connexn Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of revenue assurance software to the telecom industry which was acquired by Azure in 2004. Prior to Connexn, he was CEO of IGS, a telecom network facilities inventory company funded by Warburg Pincus. Bruny also was founder and CEO of Information + Graphics Systems, a telecom and utilities software provider that was acquired by Hitachi Software Engineering in 1993, and President of Optical Computer, a division of American Laser Corporation. Bruny holds a B.S. degree in physics from Colorado State University and a M.B.A. from the University of Colorado.

WHAT:

While most people know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation not everyone is aware of the
limitations of the system given the expanding variety of wireless devices used and the variations in service by location. The telecommunications industry plays a unique role in transmitting emergency calls and helping public safety officials locate people needing help. In today's ever-changing communications landscape, telecommunications providers are responding to the need for increased network resiliency by modernizing existing systems through Emergency Stand Alone (ESA) systems.

Aztek Networks is witnessing unprecedented response by rural telecommunications providers who are revitalizing their network by implementing new ESA technologies.

As the demand for broadband services increases, with nearly 96 million subscribers by 2012 (source: broadbandandtrends.com) many telecommunications operators are enhancing services and increasing reliability through what is referred to as, “switch collapse.” While increasing efficiencies are gained through this process, the telephone network can be exposed to cuts which can result in lack of access to emergency services.

Emergency Stand Alone systems guarantee uninterrupted local calling capability and access to 9-1-1 emergency services. ESA helps ensure public safety by continuously maintaining local calling capabilities and subscriber access to emergency 9-1-1 services in the event the link to the primary host switch is severed due to an accident or natural disaster. Not only is this in the best interest of public safety, it also was mandated as part of the Katrina Order, a regulation put into force after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina back in 2006.

The importance of support for Emergency Services capabilities, through the use of 9-1-1 cannot be overlooked or undervalued. According to NENA (National Emergency Number Association), over 200 million 9-1-1 calls are made each year in the United States. In order for these calls to be made, more than 8,000 Public Safety Answering Points must be utilized spanning 3,100 counties. The ability to maintain 9-1-1 services through ESA capabilities during natural disasters, severe weather, major power outages, telecommunications cable cuts, and other such events is vitally important.

CONTACT:
For more information on Aztek Networks or to set up an interview about National 9-1-1 Month, please contact Christie Denniston at Catapult PR-IR (303) 581-7760, ext. 13 or cdenniston@catapultpr-ir.com