Motorola adds to P25, MOTOTRBO portfolios

LAS VEGAS — Vendor giant Motorola this week announced a more price-sensitive P25 solution, enhancements to its popular MOTOTRBO offering, and a new commercial radio at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE).

The ASTRO 25 Express system is a single-site, P25 trunked system that is targeted to serve enterprises such as universities, ports, prisons and small public-safety organizations. Able to support as many as 18 channels, the equipment can be reused if the entity wants to expand to a larger ASTRO 25 network in the future.

“[Astro25 Express] hits that part of the marketplace where an agency wants Project 25 but can’t afford the big iron,” Tom Quirke, Motorola’s senior director of product marketing, said during an interview with Urgent Communications. “It’s a small system that allows our customers to grow.”

Since launching MOTOTRBO two years ago, Motorola has shipped more than 200,000 units worldwide. This week, the vendor announced two enhancements to the platform.

With IP Site Connect, users can extend coverage capabilities via an IP connection and share voice and data communications.

“This will give us digital connectivity between repeaters at various sites — up to 15 sites of connectivity — so radio can roam seamlessly between sites,” Paul Cizek, Motorola’s director of North America professional/commercial radios, said during an interview with Urgent Communications.

Another new MOTOTRBO feature offering is Capacity Plus, a single-site trunking solution that is less expensive because it does not require a controller to operate.

“With just four repeaters, you’ll actually achieve eight channels of trunking capability in digital operation,” Cizek said of the Capacity Plus offering.

Scheduled to ship this summer, Capacity Plus is expected to appeal to businesses that operate a single site while supporting a large number of users needing voice and data capability.

For enterprises needing a commercial-grade, analog portable two-way radio, Motorola unveiled the CP185, which is designed for users in the education, retail, hospitality, service and light manufacturing industries.

“The most urgent requirement of any two-way radio user is instant voice communications,” Cizek said in a prepared statement. “Providing important functionality such as clear audio, plus enhanced features such as hands-free communications, will further help business users drive efficiency.”

A UHF model of the CP185 is currently shipping and is priced at $398 per unit. Later this month, a VHF model of the radio will be available at a cost of $365 per unit.