June 22, 2009, Washington, DC – The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions', (ATIS) Network Interconnection and Interoperability Forum (NIIF) has published a testing process related to Emergency Notification System (ENS) Call Volume over wireline networks.

This document’s release marks ATIS’, and the industry’s first consensus agreement related to Emergency Notification Systems. Given these systems’ increasing proliferation, coordinated, industry-wide action is essential. Moreover, the document represents an important shift towards a mutually-beneficial working relationship between the ENS community and Telecommunications Service Providers.

Developed in coordination with public and private entities (including public service commissions, emergency mass notification users, and emergency mass notification service providers and system vendors), the purpose of the Testing Procedure is to foster cooperation between Telecommunications Service Providers and ENS providers/users during testing.

This Testing Procedure is the first in a larger suite of guidelines. It is of interest to Telecommunication Service Providers, ENS Service Providers, ENS Vendors, and end-users. It will assist in the facilitation of efficient delivery during emergency mass notifications over the public switched telephone network. Materially, the testing process addresses the issues associated with increased traffic volumes during times of crisis.

“Effective communication is critical during times of emergency,” said Susan Miller, ATIS President and CEO. “The NIIF’s best practices address an essential element of the emergency communications apparatus. Moreover, the NIIF’s work with the ENS community is a model of inter-industry coordination and a partnership that ultimately benefits end-users.”

About the NIIF
The ATIS Network Interconnection Interoperability Forum (NIIF) provides an open forum to encourage the discussion and resolution of industry-wide issues associated with telecommunications network interconnection and interoperability which involve network architecture, management, testing and operations and facilitates the exchange of information concerning these topics.

About ATIS
ATIS is the leading technical planning and standards development organization committed to the rapid development of global, market-driven standards for the information, entertainment and communications industry. More than 250 companies actively formulate standards in ATIS’ 20 Committees, covering issues including: IPTV, Service Oriented Networks, Home Networking, Energy Efficiency, IP-Based and Wireless Technologies, Quality of Service, Billing and Operational Support. In addition, numerous Incubators, Focus and Exploratory Groups address emerging industry priorities including “Green”, IP Downloadable Security, Next Generation Carrier Interconnect, IPv6 and Convergence.

ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a member and major U.S. contributor to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio and Telecommunications’ Sectors, and a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). For more information, please visit www.atis.org.