First Motorola 4.9 GHz Broadband Technical Trial Successfully Completed in Tulsa

December 20, 2004

Solutions to be Available to First Responders in 2005

When the Federal Communications Commission allocated 50 MHz of spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band for public safety first responders in May 2003, the stage was set for the development of mission critical broadband solutions that first responders have long anticipated.
Today, Motorola announced that it has completed the initial phases of a technical trial of the company's first 4.9 GHz broadband solutions. According to the Motorola project team and public safety agencies in Tulsa, Okla., where the technical trial has been underway since September, the trial has proven the reliability and stability of the system.

“The success of the trial, thanks in large measure to the involvement of City of Tulsa agencies that tested the system functions aggressively, means that Motorola plans to be ready to launch its first mission critical broadband data communications solutions in the 4.9 GHz spectrum in 2005,” said Nick Rendone, Motorola vice president, Wireless Broadband Solutions.

As is true with any newly allocated spectrum, actually securing the new spectrum is only the first hurdle to providing first responders with new communications capabilities. The technology challenge is to develop type-accepted hardware and software that will reliably operate in the spectrum, delivering the applications public safety personnel most want.

“Motorola has been building out the system continually since September working with a variety of applications,” said Tony Cecchin, Motorola’s project manager. “We will continue doing this in 2005 as required. What we have proven so far is that we have technology ready to deliver the broadband capabilities first responders hoped would be possible in the 4.9 GHz spectrum.”

The Tulsa trial included a network management terminal and two access points. The access points are in suburban locations—one at the City of Tulsa Electronic Maintenance Facility (EMF) and the other at fire station #24. Three vehicular client devices utilizing Motorola’s ML 900 laptop terminals were also included in the trial. The applications tested to date include web browsing, Instant Messaging, email and chat, as well as streaming video.

"For Tulsa public safety agencies, the chance to participate in this technical trial has provided us a unique opportunity," said Kevin Shoemaker, Radio Services Manager for the City of Tulsa. "Through this technical trial, we've helped ensure that the solutions Motorola offers in this spectrum will deliver the broadband capabilities and applications public safety agencies need today to protect our communities. While we look forward to testing additional applications and functionality through the early part of next year, the system already has performed well beyond our expectations for coverage, features and functionality."