MINNEAPOLIS-The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, Metropolitan Council and the city of Minneapolis jointly announced contracts have been completed and construction has begun on the 800 MHz Motorola Astro SmartZone digital shared public-safety radio system, said Motorola Inc.
The new system will replace many individual communications systems operated by local agencies. While the agencies using the system will share a common system infrastructure, each will be able to communicate privately with its own personnel, said Motorola.
According to Motorola, the system also is the first in the United States to deliver fully digital, narrowband and simulcast technologies compliant with the Project 25 standard for public-safety communications systems, adopted by a consortium of public-safety communication user groups.
The system is valued at $65 million and includes infrastructure and subscriber units. Motorola said installation of the system is expected to be completed in less than three years.
