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| The new system provides better interoperable digital communications among all towns of Loudon County |
The upgraded countywide system provides improved in-building interoperable digital communications among all towns in Loudoun County.
Virginia's Loudoun County today announced that it has formally accepted its nine site, 11 channel ASTRO 25 digital radio system from the Motorola Solutions business of Motorola, Inc. The system, which was installed by Motorola and operational in less than 12 months from contract signing, also marks the first large-scale deployment of APX™ 7000 multi-band portable radios for fire and EMS.
The upgraded countywide system provides improved in-building interoperable digital communications among all towns in Loudoun County. It also gives public safety agencies in the county the continued ability to communicate with surrounding counties in the National Capital Region, allowing for mutual aid capabilities on a single platform. The state-of-the-art system also includes high performance data capabilities and TDMA technology for greater frequency capacity. A second phase of the Motorola deployment will include the addition of Project 25 (P25) Phase 2 TDMA technology, expected in 2012.
"There was tremendous teamwork and cooperation between Loudoun County staff and Motorola to meet the challenging timeline for completion and installation of this major communications system upgrade to replace our aging equipment," said Interim Chief W. Keith Brower, Jr., Loudoun County Fire, Rescue and EMS. "We are excited to have the upgraded voice and high-speed data capabilities provided by this latest Motorola ASTRO 25 technology that will keep us completely connected with other agencies within and surrounding the National Capital Region."
APX 7000 radio has superior sound quality and loud audio in critical communications |
The upgrade also included the replacement of a microwave system in less than two months, the replacement of a low-band paging system and the addition of 1,300 Motorola APX 7000 portable two way radios with integrated GPS. As the industry's first P25 multi-band (700/800 MHz and VHF) family of subscriber radios, the APX communicates with P25 FDMA systems and future P25 Phase 2 TDMA systems.
"The APX 7000 radio is a tremendous addition to the communications capabilities of our law enforcement operations," said Loudoun County Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson. "The superior sound quality and loud audio of this dual-sided portable radio are a major benefit for mission critical communications. We will also benefit from the ASTRO 25 radio system's increased in-building coverage, which is also critical in law enforcement communications."
Supporting future data applications as they become available (e.g. biometric sensors), APX is geared for first responders with an eye on the future. The backwards and forwards compatible radio works on all P25 radio systems like ASTRO 25 plus SMARTNET and SmartZone analog systems and will continue to work as the system upgrades to the new P25 Phase 2 TDMA technology in 2012.
"Loudoun County has taken a major step forward with the implementation of the highly sophisticated ASTRO 25 radio system and the deployment of APX 7000 portable radios," said Jackie Wasni, territory vice president, Motorola Solutions. "Motorola is committed to providing agencies like Loudoun County the latest in P25 interoperable mission critical communications, including P25 Phase 2 TDMA. We applaud Loudoun County for its technological leadership and look forward to continuing to provide the county with mission critical solutions to enhance interoperability for first responders throughout the National Capital Region."
