TSYS (MM)

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a leading provider of wireless communications technology, today announced the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent number 7,522,911 for "Wireless Chat Automatic Status Tracking."

The patent describes a means for automatically providing the presence and/or location information of a mobile instant messaging (IM) subscriber. Traditional desktop IM systems allow an Internet subscriber to automatically notify a chat group or IM buddy list when the user goes on-line or off-line. TCS' invention enables automatic IM presence detection of a mobile device that can be seamlessly integrated into instant messaging chat sessions. Without the invention, a wireless user would have to manually notify the chat group or buddy list of his/her availability.

"Instant messaging chat groups and buddy lists were the original social networking communities and have become a growing means for wireless user communication," said Drew Morin, senior vice president and chief technical officer for TCS. "TCS' invention allows the presence of the mobile subscriber to be automatically communicated to a group or buddy list. The status information of a wireless user is also increasingly being used by other mobile applications to send relevant information that depends upon the user's location or presence in the network."

TCS now holds 71 patents with 222 applications pending.

About the patent

The "Wireless Chat Automatic Status Tracking" patent describes a system whereby a short message service center (SMSC) module provides automatic status tracking of a wireless chat user. The SMSC receives status information of the user from a home location register and communicates the information outside the wireless operator's network to the chat room of the wireless user. Communication of the wireless users' status information to the chat room is done over an internet connection.

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) engineers and delivers highly reliable wireless communications technology. TCS is a leader in wireless text messaging and location-based technology, including E9-1-1 services and commercial applications like navigation that use the precise location of a wireless device, and secure satellite-based communications systems and services. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, cable MSOs, automotive telematics vendors, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. TCS is one of six primary vendors on a $5 billion Army Worldwide Satellite Systems Contract vehicle. For more information, visit www.telecomsys.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Risks include without limitation those detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.

Media Contacts: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Meredith Allen 410-295-1865 MAllen@telecomsys.com Welz & Weisel Communications Evan Weisel 703-218-3555 evan@w2comm.com