Motorola launches $50m TETRA public trunked digital radio net

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 02 March 2006 17:41

Business IT - Networking

Motorola Australia has launched a $50 million digital trunked radio network, the first in Australia based on the European TETRA standard, to provide two way radio communications for business users.

Zeon Digital, a public access network, will support digital push-to-talk (PTT) dispatch services, duplex individual and telephone voice calls, short data service (SDS) messaging and mobile data applications. It will also provide high level encryption for both voice and data communications.

It will be available for commercial use in April in greater Melbourne, May in greater Sydney and Brisbane later in the year. Motorola says it can service organisations requiring as few as three units up to as many as 10,000 units.

Handsets will have GPS functionality, enabling an organisation to track and manage its workforce. Prices will start from $35 per month depending on the airtime required and the plan selected.

The network will launch with a number of specialised two-way radio terminals including the MTP850 and the MTM700. The MTP850 is a hand held portable unit with a colour screen, encryption and integrated GPS. The MTM700 is for in-vehicle use. Handsets start at $349 on a 36 month plan.

Motorola Australia managing director government and enterprise, Spiros Nikolakopoulos, said: "The Zeon Digital Network is a major step forward in business communication in Australia...providing general users with features and availability previously only available to much larger users such as the police and emergency services."