Motorola Solutions has completed the acquisition of Plant Holdings, which holds the Airbus DS Communications business, from Airbus Defense and Space.
Motorola says the acquisition strengthens its command centre software portfolio and the company’s Software Enterprise.
Airbus DS Communications is a leading provider in North America of command centre software for emergency call-handling and also delivers text-to-911, mapping, data management and analytics, providing customers a comprehensive transition strategy from legacy systems to a standards-based, unified Next-Generation 911 system.
Completion of the acquisition comes as Motorola Solutions announced three new solutions for enhanced mission-critical communications including an app to share digital evidence.
{loadposition peter}“Motorola Solutions is focused on mobilising and connecting first responders in the moments that matter regardless of network or device,” said Bruce Brda, Motorola Solutions executive vice president of Products & Solutions.
“We are dedicated to growing our technology portfolio for the long-term co-existence of LMR and LTE networks, helping them work better together for years to come. We are also building software apps that are secure and easy to use by first responders and that connect automatically to Motorola Solutions’ suite of public safety solutions.”
Brda said the new solutions were part of Motorola’s continuation to transform communications for first responders who use land-mobile radio (LMR) and dedicated long-term evolution (LTE) networks.
The new technologies – and their functions - announced by Motorola are:
LEX L11 Mission-Critical LTE Device
The LEX L11 mission-critical LTE device is built for global broadband networks including FirstNet in the United States. It is designed specifically for the demanding environments experienced by first responders. With the LEX L11 and the power of broadband, first responders can access secure apps for increased situational awareness.
The LEX L11 can also be paired with an APX two-way portable radio, combining the power of Motorola Solutions’ mission-critical ASTRO® 25 LMR network with public safety broadband. Ideal for officers who need to remain discreet, this pairing allows them to communicate covertly on their radio while using the LEX L11. Together, these technologies are a powerful combination of communications to help improve the safety of first responders and the people they protect.
Capture Mobile Camera App
With the new Capture app, first responders can easily capture image, video and audio evidence with the LEX L11 or Android and iOS-based smartphones. All content is securely uploaded to Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral Vault digital evidence management solution for storage and later use.
From the moment of capture, evidence is protected from tampering, and the chain of custody is verifiable so devices do not need to be subpoenaed. Metadata is also added automatically to organise evidence within CommandCentral Vault.
APX 8500HP Mobile Radio
The APX 8500HP is a high-power version of Motorola Solutions’ interoperable all-band Project 25 mobile radio. This 110 watt radio delivers more than twice the power of the APX 8500 for VHF and UHF Range 1 bands. It is ideal for use in rural areas or during disaster response where limited infrastructure might be available. With all-band functionality, first responders from different agencies can easily communicate with each other, regardless of what frequency band they are using.