Critical Network Dynamics

How do you see the landscape of mission-critical networks evolving, and what role do they play in ensuring public safety?

At Motorola Solutions, one of our key priorities is to continue investing heavily in land mobile radio (LMR). We believe LMR remains the most reliable communication network for instant push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities, which are essential for police, firefighters, and military personnel in life-threatening situations. The ability to push a button and receive an immediate response is critical in these scenarios, making LMR the best technology for such needs.

However, we are also exploring redundancy solutions to enhance network reliability. One of the exciting developments is our collaboration with other industry players to better meet customer needs. Today, we offer a new solution that combines LMR with broadband, ensuring comprehensive coverage. This hybrid approach addresses areas where LMR alone might be insufficient, such as underground parking facilities or high-rise buildings in places like Dubai, where network coverage can be obstructed. Our solution allows seamless switching between LMR and carrier broadband, ensuring uninterrupted communication.

Looking to the future, we anticipate more integrated solutions like this. We are currently testing satellite technology and evaluating its potential. While we are approaching this cautiously, we envision a future where various network types—LMR, broadband, and satellite—are integrated to provide 100 percent coverage at all times. This comprehensive approach ensures that mission-critical communications are always reliable, regardless of the environment.

What are the primary challenges organisations face in the realm of public safety, and how do you plan to address them?

One of the major challenges in public safety today is the integration of multiple technologies. It’s no longer just about voice communication; now, there’s a significant demand for video and imagery, along with AI-driven triggers. These advancements are beneficial for police and other public safety agencies, but they also present substantial deployment and integration challenges.

Organisations must now manage both radio networks and video setups, often involving different technologies that need to work seamlessly together. Our focus is on simplifying this complexity. We aim to make these systems easy to deploy, integrate, and maintain. This effort is crucial not only for the end users, such as police officers and firefighters but also for the IT personnel responsible for setting up and managing the technology. By streamlining the process, we help ensure that public safety organisations can effectively leverage advanced technologies without being bogged down by integration issues.

Can you offer a glimpse into the latest infrastructure and device developments Motorola Solutions will unveil at CCW?

This year at CCW, we are excited to announce several new developments. One of the highlights is our new TETRA radio, the MXP660. This device is noteworthy because it integrates LTE, allowing seamless roaming between land mobile radio (LMR) and LTE networks. This integration ensures reliable communication across different network types.

Additionally, we are introducing a new body-worn video camera. This device is becoming increasingly popular among police forces across the globe. While this technology is primarily aimed at public safety, it also has significant applications in enterprise settings, such as retail and hospitality. Public safety is definitely at the core of our mission, but we also maintain a strong presence in the enterprise sector.

Another major development is in access control technology. This is essential for both public safety and enterprise security. These advancements demonstrate our commitment to enhancing safety and security through innovative technology, and we are excited to showcase them at our booth.

How do you ensure Motorola Solutions remains innovative in critical communication networks?

At Motorola Solutions, we place a strong emphasis on customer collaboration and co-creation, especially with our flagship customers. We have a brilliant design and research team that actively engages with customers by shadowing them during their daily tasks. This immersive approach helps us uncover needs and pain points that may not be immediately apparent. It’s similar to observing someone using a keyboard; by watching them work, we can identify opportunities for improvement that might not surface in a simple interview.

This customer-centric approach allows us to design products that make our customers’ jobs easier and safer. Our commitment to innovation is further supported by a strong presence in design, user interface (UI), and user experience (UX) disciplines. We continuously explore new technologies through our Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and their office. They rigorously test emerging technologies, such as AI, broadband, and satellite communications, to ensure reliability and effectiveness.

By combining customer insights with cutting-edge research, we stay at the forefront of innovation in critical communication networks. This process ensures that we not only meet current needs but also anticipate and prepare for future challenges.