[Scan-DC] AA County (MD) going digital

[Steve Uhrig]

Anne Arundel County, Md.
Awards Motorola Contract
for New Communications System

New Technology Enables
Interoperability With Agencies Throughout Maryland


SCHAUMBURG, Ill.,

March 5, 2003

Anne Arundel County in Maryland has awarded Motorola (NYSE:MOT) a
contract for a new $12.7 million 800 MHz communications system to
enable public safety agencies countywide to respond more quickly
and efficiently to emergency calls. The system is part of Motorola's 
extensive portfolio of integrated communications and
information solutions to address mission-critical public safety
and security requirements worldwide.

The sophisticated solution will replace the county's aging
15-year-old system, enabling police and fire departments
throughout the county to communicate with each other and with
other agencies throughout Maryland when multi-jurisdictional
response is required.

"We have learned that interoperability is an absolute necessity in
these grave times of uncertainty," said Janet S. Owens, Anne
Arundel county executive.

The new system is designed to also enhance reliability with
improved audio quality and on-street coverage for public-safety
officers in the field. Infrastructure at four existing tower sites
is being upgraded to make coverage even more reliable, said Owens.

Mobile vehicular repeaters will be used to enable communications
in buildings that currently have inadequate radio reception. The
county is purchasing 1,100 Motorola digital mobile and portable
radios with technology designed to reduce interference.

"Each day, public safety officers across Anne Arundel County put
their lives at risk to protect us," said Owens. "In times of
danger, radio communications may be the only lifeline for these
men and women. We must do all we can to ensure that the lifeline
will be there if and when it is needed."

"This system will provide state-of-the-art equipment that will
hopefully help increase our effectiveness and enhance officer
safety," said County Police Chief Thomas Shanahan. "Dependable
coverage is essential in enabling our officers to effectively
manage situations where lives can be saved or lost in a matter of
seconds."

Agencies will use the system's channels to set-up pre-arranged
talk groups, allowing county officials, police and fire
departments to communicate effectively among themselves as well as
with the State police and other system users.

The Motorola 800 MHz ASTRO=AE SmartZone=AE 16-channel digital system
uses simulcast technology to ensure that radio users anywhere in
the county can communicate with each other. All messages will be
broadcast from all sites.

"This is the most important capital project undertaken in the
county, and Motorola is a true partner in helping to design a
system that provides the reliable coverage and interoperability we
sought," said Owens.

Anne Arundel County, spanning 416 square miles with a population
of 490,000, is home to the state's capital, Annapolis. All Anne
Arundel public safety agencies will use the system, which is
expected to go online in 2004. Officials say future expansion is
being designed to include additional radios and tower sites and
public works agencies.

"We are proud to provide Anne Arundel with a system that will fit
their specific needs in responding to mission-critical situations
both now and well into the future," said Mark Moon, Motorola
Communications and Electronics, Inc. vice president and general
manager of the Southern Division.

http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,1958,2445_1992_2
3,00.html

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Steve Uhrig, SWS Security, Maryland (USA)
Mfrs of electronic surveillance equip
mailto:Steve@swssec.com  website http://www.swssec.com
tel +1+410-879-4035, fax +1+410-836-1190
"In God we trust, all others we monitor"
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