National Fallback Service Introduced To Ensure Seamless Backup for Airwave Network

Motorola’s engineering and management to ensure reliable synchronisation with existing Airwave network

UK, 24th August 2005 – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is working with O2 Airwave implement a National Fallback System (NFS) for the existing Airwave public safety communications network. The NFS element of the contract with Motorola will provide public safety officers in the UK with the even more reassurance that they have access to a resilient and robust communications network.

The NFS is designed to be brought quickly into service in the event of a serious system failure to any of the primary switch clusters within the Airwave network. This ensures that seamless, end-to-end voice and data communications are maintained for the 120,000 officers across each police force in England, Scotland and Wales as well as the British Transport Police and Ambulance Service. As part of this contract Motorola is developing a suite of tools that will keep both the primary and backup clusters synchronised meaning that service restoration will only take minutes.

Until now, the Airwave network had a securely located stand-by switch cluster that could be deployed within a few hours.

Pete Richardson, managing director for O2 Airwave said: “This is a great achievement for both O2 Airwave and Motorola. It reinforces our commitment to providing the emergency services with the very best communications they can get. We have been working in partnership with Motorola since its inception and successfully rolled out the Airwave network across the country. I am delighted that we are continuing our partnership to make even further improvements to the Airwave service. Completing the network was just the start; we will continue to develop the service to ensure it meets the needs of our customers.”

Iain Clarke, director of sales, Motorola, said: “The role of police communications has changed dramatically in the ten years since the initial Airwave network was conceived. The provision of the NFS is an enhancement that will make the Airwave network even more resilient and more suited to today’s policing needs.”

To date Motorola has been awarded more than 210 TETRA contracts in over 57 countries – for more information: www.motorola.com/tetra

Media Contacts
Motorola, Suzanne McDermott
Tel: 01256 484 505
suzanne.McDermott@motorola.com

Firefly Communications, Sam Bevans or Andrea Carter
Tel: 0207 386 1400
sam.bevans@fireflycomms.comor andrea.carter@fireflycomms.com

Susan Moore, Airwave
+44 (0)7764 350834
susan.moore@o2.com