10-year contract secures emergency communications network

The Victorian government has signed a 10-year, AUD $500 million (USD ~$330 million) contract with Motorola Solutions to maintain and enhance the Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) network.

The network supports emergency services across the state.

The agreement with the Department of Justice and Community Safety extends MMR’s operation until 2035.

The network provides secure radio communications for Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service, and Life Saving Victoria.

Motorola Solutions to provide 24/7 support

Motorola Solutions will deliver 24/7 operational support through its Melbourne-based control centre and field engineering teams.

More than 32,000 radios used on the network will be maintained at the P25 radio standard.

Con Balaskas, managing director for Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, said: “First responders face complex and unpredictable challenges that call for safe and resilient communications that are reliable in the harshest conditions, with the ability to connect and collaborate with other emergency services for multi-agency responses.”

Network expansion and new technologies

The agreement will see Marine, Search & Rescue added to the MMR network in 2025.

SmartConnect, a cloud-based service, will also be introduced to automatically switch between land mobile radio (LMR), broadband, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks when users travel beyond radio coverage areas.

Ambulance Victoria’s regional units will gain access to 1,600 new APX NEXT all-band smart radios, along with 750 APX series multi-band mobile radios installed in regional ambulances.

These enhancements aim to expand coverage and improve access to data applications.

MMR’s role in past emergency responses

The MMR network has been in place since 2005 and has supported Victoria’s public safety agencies during major crises, including the 2023 flood crisis and the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

Over the past year, more than 50.5 million push-to-talk voice calls were made using the network.

Motorola Solutions operates 13,000 land mobile radio networks in over 100 countries.

Other governments, including Norway, Portugal, Denmark, and Austria, have also renewed contracts for LMR communications.

Victoria extends Motorola Solutions contract for emergency radio network until 2035: Summary

The Victorian government has renewed its contract with Motorola Solutions for the Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR) network, extending its operation until 2035 under a 10-year, AUD $500 million (USD ~$330 million) agreement.

The contract ensures continued radio communications support for emergency services, including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, Victoria State Emergency Service, and Life Saving Victoria.

Motorola Solutions will provide 24/7 operational support and maintenance through its Melbourne-based control centre.

Marine, Search & Rescue will be added to the network in 2025.

The introduction of SmartConnect technology will enable automatic switching between radio, broadband, Wi-Fi, and satellite networks.

Ambulance Victoria’s regional units will receive 1,600 APX NEXT all-band smart radios, while 750 APX series multi-band mobile radios will be installed in regional ambulances.

The MMR network has supported Victoria’s emergency responses since 2005, with over 50.5 million push-to-talk calls made in the past year.