Motorola confirm MMR Project success
Motorola to Provide an ASTRO® 25 Emergency Services Digital Radio Network to the Victorian Government Ahead of 2006 Commonwealth Games
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -- 18 March 2004 -- Motorola (NYSE: MOT) announced a contract to build own and operate an ASTRO® 25 advanced digital communications network for emergency services in the State of Victoria. The new Metropolitan Radio Network will provide emergency communications during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
The network is expected to be built by April 2005, after which it will be operated by Motorola for a period of seven years, representing an estimated total contract value of US$151 million, including local taxes of US$14 million (A$206 million, including taxes of A$19 million) with a Victorian Government published Net Present Cost of approximately A$120 million.
The project will be managed for the State by the Bureau of Emergency Services Telecommunications. It was awarded under the Victorian Government’s “Partnerships Victoria” framework. Partnerships Victoria is a Victorian Government initiative dedicated to optimisation of the level of infrastructure spending through a responsible use of the resources of both the public and private sectors. Value for money and the public interest are keynotes of the policy.
The ASTRO® 25 solution is part of Motorola's extensive portfolio of first responder digital solutions for integrated communications, information management, regional coordination and incident command. The new system will meet the Project 25 standard for public safety and digital communications. The Project 25 Standard ensures enhanced functionality of public safety communications, equipment and capabilities, as well as effective, efficient and reliable intra-and inter-agency communications.
“Motorola has provided mission critical communications systems for more than 65 years,” said Spiros Nikolakopoulos, Managing Director of Motorola’s Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector (CGISS), Australia. “We are excited to be working on this project and look forward to serving the emergency services needs of the state and the public in Victoria.
“This pacesetting technology, based on integrated communications, information solutions and rapid mobile intelligence, will place Victoria’s emergency services on the map as leaders in law enforcement and public safety.”
The new Motorola ASTRO 25 network will:
٠ Enhance security of communications through digital encryption;
Improve portable radio coverage in difficult locations, such as tunnels and basement carparks;
٠ Improve indoor radio coverage in major buildings and shopping centres;
Improve voice quality so that communications are clearer;
٠ Provide enough channel capacity and flexibility for major events such as the
Commonwealth Games 2006 and the World Economic Forum; and
٠ Provide interoperability or direct communications among agencies to allow better coordination.
The new system is expected to be in approximately 2,300 police cars, 165 fire engines and 197 ambulances. Also, portable units are expected to be provided for approximately 3,300 police, 351 fire officers and senior staff and 468 paramedics and senior staff.
