Motorola expands MotoTRBO portfolio
LAS VEGAS — Motorola Solutions is announcing a host of enhancements to its popular MotoTRBO portfolio, including new solutions for digital dispatch and base repeaters that will be displayed and demonstrated during the International Wireless Communications Expo here this week.
Leveraging its MIP 5000 console system, Motorola has created a digital VoIP dispatch capability to serve the entry-level and mid-level customer tiers that provides ID and alias displays, emergency alarm and call notification and supports text messaging, said Paul Cizek, Motorola’s director of professional and commercial radio in North America.
“We see this as being very exciting for transportation, utilities public administration, public works and various service agencies that are looking for entry/mid-tier digital dispatch solutions,” Cizek said.
Motorola will announce enhancements to its MotoTRBO repeater portfolio, including the launch of a VHF version of its MTR 3000 for mid-tier and high-tier operators the introduction of the XPR 8400 entry-level solution, Cizek said.
With the VHF capability, the MTR 3000 is now available in all major spectrum bands — UHF, VHF and 800/900 MHz, Cizek said. Existing MTR 2000 customers can upgrade that equipment to MTR 3000, he said.
“An MTR2000 can be upgraded to make it an MTR 3000 for about half the price, so we’ve got a lot of options for customers there,” Cizek said. “When you upgrade to the MTR3000, you’ve added the ability to move from an analog solution over to MotoTRBO digital operation, as well.”
The XPR 8400 is designed to be the successor to the XPR 8300 for entry-tier repeaters and includes capabilities designed to simplify network maintenance, Cizek said.
“This is available in UHF and VHF, and we added some capabilities, so we can use some enhanced repeater diagnostics,” Cizek said. “You can also interrogate and download software to the unit remotely, over an IP connection.”
In addition, Motorola is announcing new wireless accessories for the MotoTRBO radio with Bluetooth connectivity and enhancements to its Connect Plus solution that allow the solution to support as many as 20 sites instead of the previous 6-site limit, Cizek said. The company also will unveil connectivity to SCADA systems through its ACE3600 terminal unit and a digital IP-connected phone patch, he said.
Overall, MotoTRBO sales continue to grow, particular as UHF and VHF operators seek solutions to address the FCC’s narrowbanding mandate and do not want to worry about a potential 6.25-kHz narrowbanding mandate in the future, Cizek said.
“A lot of these customers are saying, ‘Rather than just moving to an analog 12.5 kHz solution, which really doesn’t expand the value capabilities in terms of additional productivity enhancements, they’re now moving to MotoTRBO, because of all the things they can work into these solutions,” he said. “Because it’s 12.5 kHz, it fits into your combining spectrum play you already have. And you’re already meeting the 6.25 kHz move up front when you put this in, so you’re basically done.”
