Industry First: State of Arizona Trials Motorola’s ISSI Gateways on Project 25 Networks

Motorola’s ISSI gateways offer unprecedented roaming, interoperability and coverage expansion for state, regional and municipal public safety users while maintaining system autonomy
SCHAUMBURG, IL . – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the first-ever deployment of Inter RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) gateways between live Project 25 (P25) networks, signaling the completion of a key phase of the “Arizona Public Safety Communications Commission Statewide Radio System Demonstration Project.” The prototype installation culminated many months of multi-agency collaboration and provided “connected coverage” with the Regional Wireless Cooperative in Phoenix and the Yuma Regional Communications System.
“Our job is to magnify Arizona’s innovation capacity to build a foundation for the future,” said Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. “The Motorola ISSI gateway trial is an excellent example of driving innovation, which will enable our state with agency interoperability to best protect our residents and visitors.”
The primary objective of the state’s interoperability project is to provide proof of concept for the “systems of systems” approach to connect existing regional communication systems by providing a statewide interoperability solution. By deploying a 700 MHz RF site for additional coverage on each of the regional networks, the network users achieve expanded coverage and capacity. Connecting two networks with digital microwave and by installing the Motorola prototype ISSI gateways, users on ISSI talkgroups can roam from one network to the other while maintaining connectivity back to their home users and dispatchers.
Motorola anticipates commercial availability of its ISSI.1 Network Gateway in Q4 of 2009. The gateway delivers connectivity between Motorola’s ASTRO®25 and other P25 ISSI-enabled systems and can be added to ASTRO 25 networks without requiring upgrades to the master site, P25 control channels or radios. The ISSI.1 Network Gateway is a key addition to Motorola’s MOTOA4 mission critical portfolio and emphasizes Motorola’s continued commitment to the P25 standard.
“Motorola applauds Governor Napolitano and the Arizona Public Safety Communications Commission for their leadership and vision and for pushing for this important milestone in public safety interoperability.” said Bob Schassler, Motorola corporate vice president, Government and Public Safety Products Organization. “By urging Motorola to do an unprecedented prototype trial, the project has already provided invaluable insights into how to best support multi-agency interoperability initiatives.”
“The ISSI gateways will result in vital coverage and interoperability benefits for the State of Arizona, and we are proud of the cooperation demonstrated between the three agency partners,” said Governor Napolitano.
The ISSI prototype demonstration was deployed in partnership with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Regional Wireless Cooperative (RWC) and the Yuma Regional Communications System (YRCS). The Prototype Demonstration was initiated by the Arizona Public Safety Communications Commission and funded through a combination of local, state and federal funding streams.