Australian workers across a broad range of small-to-medium sized organisations will soon have access to advanced digital radio communications technology from Motorola that promises to improve safety levels and introduce a raft of new functionality to existing radio networks.

Motorola Australia will demonstrate the new Dimetra LiTE system – an Internet Protocol (IP) switch that provides business-critical users with the ability to establish and manage a fully-functional TETRA digital two-way radio communication network – at a series of launch events in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory this week.

Steve Crutchfield, general manager commercial systems, Motorola Australia, says Dimetra LiTE delivers cost-effective and easy-to-deploy TETRA solutions for enterprise customers, and is available to order now from Motorola’s authorised partners in Australia and New Zealand.

“The benefits of affordable, smaller-scale IP-based TETRA solutions are particularly relevant in countries like Australia and New Zealand where the vast majority of organisations are in the small-to-medium business demographic, and where we have such a high number of remote industrial sites,” he says.

“Whereas traditional analogue radio is limited to voice-only communications, TETRA digital radio not only adds important new safety features, such as personal alarms and GPS tracking, but it also increases the value of existing radio networks with added functionality such as text messaging and PSTN phone trunking, at a time when companies are under pressure to do more with less.”

Dimetra LiTE builds on Motorola’s Dimetra IP family of TETRA solutions, which already has a proven track record in mission-critical communications deployments across the region. Dimetra LiTE supports features such as integrated voice and data services, and full duplex IP telephony calls – critical to industries and market segments such as utilities, gaming, transportation, small airports, small seaports, resorts and large hotels. The compact switch also provides an interface to conventional analogue systems, making it ideally suited for operators upgrading from analogue to advanced digital solutions and requiring a smooth migration path.

“One of the highlights of the integrated solution we’re demonstrating at the launch events is the new Motorola MTP850Ex, the first 800MHz TETRA handset certified for use in extreme environments in Australia, such as oil and gas refineries and airport tarmac zones,” adds Crutchfield.

“In addition Dimetra LiTE supports a range of existing TETRA digital radio handsets, such as the MTM800E and MTP850, and is designed with industrial, commercial and enterprise users in mind.”

Dimetra LiTE connects to the field-proven range of TETRA Base Stations using a standard Ethernet interface, saving on the cost of leased lines, and the remote access function allows system monitoring and diagnostics to be done centrally, further reducing maintenance costs.

Motorola’s complete portfolio of TETRA solutions – with infrastructure, terminals, applications and services – are now in use in more than 90 countries worldwide. The company’s long history of innovation in the two-way radio industry stretches back to 1938 with the introduction of the Police Cruiser Radio Receiver, and it has maintained its position at the forefront of TETRA development.   

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $30.1 billion in 2008. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.au.