The $19 million communications system will be used by county public-safety agencies including police, fire and emergency medical services, throughout Hamilton County. The system's capability will also be available to other local government public service entities, including the county engineer and Metropolitan Sewer District, to improve day-to-day communications and operations. County officials project the infrastructure for the system will be complete by 2002.

The new Motorola ASTRO®25 SMARTNET® digital system complies with the Common Air Interface (CAI) included in Project 25 digital standards for communications systems. Project 25 is the functional and technical standard for public-safety digital systems adopted in 1995 by a consortium of two-way radio user groups to ensure that public-safety personnel would be able to communicate directly with each other.

"This new system gives us interoperability with agencies around the county that was not possible before," said Eric Stuckey, executive assistant county administrator. "This will enable us to coordinate communications rapidly and efficiently. The technology will help enhance coverage in previously hard-to- reach areas, such as within buildings, making it easier to communicate in emergency situations requiring multi-agency response."

The system uses nine Motorola CENTRACOM Gold Series™ consoles installed at the main dispatch center for the county. County officials project approximately 3,500 ASTRO XTS 3000™ digital portable radios and ASTRO SPECTRA® mobile radios will be incorporated into the system over approximately a three-year period.

The 15-site system will include 20 channels and use simulcast technology to enhance communications coverage throughout Hamilton County, which has a population of about 850,000 people and includes the city of Cincinnati. The individual system sites are connected by a digital microwave system. The simulcast feature means the system will transmit each message at the same time from all sites.

"Motorola is very happy to be part of the long-term effort that resulted in this sophisticated solution for Hamilton County's communications needs," said John McFadden, Motorola area vice president. "The technology included in this digital system provides Hamilton County with the interoperability and other features and capabilities it will need to address changing communications needs for years to come."

About Motorola

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2000 were $37.6 billion. For more information, visit http://www.motorola.com .

ASTRO, SMARTNET and SPECTRA are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

CENTRACOM Gold Series and XTS 3000 are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

SOURCE Motorola, Inc.

CONTACT: Eric Stuckey, Senior Assistant, County Administrator of Hamilton County, 513-946-4432; or Steve Gorecki of Motorola, 847-538-0368, or e-mail, steve.gorecki@motorola.com