The first communications system in the state capable of operating in both digital and analog modes, this system will be used by public safety and public service agencies in Austin and surrounding Travis County including police, fire, emergency medical services, sheriff, electric, and water departments. As the system is compliant with the Project 25 Common Air Interface (CAI), a functional and technical standard for digital two-way radios, it will be an important move to improve communications among various public-safety agencies and across jurisdictions.

The 9-1-1 Radio, Dispatch, Mobile Data, Transportation Coalition (9-1-1 RDMT Coalition), a voluntary interlocal governmental initiative, spearheaded the development of the new 17-site, 80-channel system. Local officials believe the new system will help reduce emergency response times and enhance service delivery by public safety and public service agencies throughout the City of Austin and Travis County.

"For public safety and public service agencies in the City and County, as well as for local residents, inter-agency communications is a high priority. Currently, agencies operate different types of radio systems, making communications interoperability extremely difficult. Limited channel availability has stymied the growth and expansion of our existing communication systems. This new Motorola system will provide us the inter-agency communications we want and the coverage we need in a cost-effective manner," said Peter Collins, RDMT Project Director.

City and County officials project that a number of other local agencies may join the new system in the near future, including the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority, the University of Texas, the Austin Independent School District, the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Legislative Council, and the cities of Westlake Hills and Pflugerville.

The Austin-Travis County regional system is the fifth Motorola trunked radio system to be implemented in the central Texas area. Existing systems include neighboring Williamson County, Lee County and Caldwell County, while Bastrop County is in the process of installing a new Motorola two-site simulcast trunked voice radio system.

"We are definitely interested in working with our neighbors and establishing interoperability with their systems. The regional communications capability this system provides will be invaluable in responding to emergencies that may require multi-jurisdictional responses," said Collins.

ASTRO XTS 3000™ digital portable radios and ASTRO Spectra® mobile radios and MTS 2000™ analog portables and MCS 2000® analog mobiles will be part of the system. The City of Austin and Travis County, along with other RDMT Coalition members, will install Motorola CENTRACOM Gold Series™ Elite consoles in their dispatch facilities, including the Regional Combined Emergency Communications Center. Harris Corporation's Microwave Communications Division will supply the microwave backbone for the network.

System installation will be in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion by January 2003 and the entire system projected to be online by fall of 2003. Approximately 8,500 users will be on the system initially, with planned growth to 12,000 users over the next three to five years. Motorola and the RDMT Coalition will perform extensive testing as part of the system implementation to assure portable radio coverage from metropolitan Austin to the rolling hills and heavy foliage in western Travis County.

"This innovative communications system is the direct result of the dedicated efforts of City of Austin and Travis County officials who worked together to find the best solution for the entire area," said Motorola corporate area vice president Mark Moon. "This solution will provide the region with a system that will serve them for many years to come. We are very pleased to be part of this historic process."

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, please visit the Motorola web site at http://www.motorola.com .

ASTRO 25, SmartZone, Spectra and MCS 2000 are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. CENTRACOM Gold Series, MTS 2000 and XTS 3000 are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

SOURCE Motorola, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Steve Gorecki of Motorola, Inc., 847-538-0368