TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Three Florida counties today announced their participation in a Next Generation E911 network being deployed by EMBARQ. The new services offer the counties regional interoperability for 911 call-delivery via MPLS and an easy migration path for the delivery of multi-media input streams into their PSAPs when the standards are finalized.

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Using a State of Florida 911 grant, Lake, Okaloosa and Walton counties are participating in this leading-edge transition toward their goal of moving to Next Generation (NextGen) deployments.

'We are looking forward to working with an innovative provider willing to work on the cutting edge of E-911 technology,' said Michelle Gatlin, E911 Coordinator for Walton County. 'EMBARQ is providing that solution.'

PSAPs across the nation are focusing on interoperability among E-911 agencies, as well as converged networks, working to maximize dispatcher efficiencies while minimizing costs. To help meet this demand, EMBARQ provides IP solutions like Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and other network features.

'We offer a variety of network and equipment options, and we have a long and successful history of working with PSAPs to help them meet their public safety goals,' said Rob Roache, EMBARQ area vice president-sales. 'We're especially pleased to work these innovative PSAPs in moving toward NextGen.'

All of the counties' deployments are developing well.

'EMBARQ put a solution together for a turnkey NextGen 911 Center upgrade and we are looking forward to our enhancements this year,' said Okaloosa County E911 Communications Chief Silvia Womack. 'It is important for all of us to move toward greater interoperability and to ensure survivability.'

Bruce Thorburn, E911 director for Lake County, said the coordination among the various PSAPs has been remarkably smooth.