Columbus Consolidated Government To Implement Motorola Wireless Data Network.

COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1998--Columbus Consolidated Government announces that it will implement a Motorola wireless data solution that provides public safety and municipal personnel access to mission-critical information while in the field and allows for multi-jurisdictional cooperation between agencies. The wireless data system, funded entirely by a federal COPS MORE grant, will be adopted by Columbus municipal departments, beginning with public safety and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and eventually including others, such as engineering, building inspection and parks. Municipal personnel serve more than 190,000 residents throughout the 221 square-mile area of the consolidated city and county of Columbus.

Prior to the wireless data system, dispatchers were burdened with routine voice inquiries and officer safety was compromised due to lack of timely information about warrants and other facts when stopping vehicles.

The new wireless data system will utilize softwareapplications integrated by Motorola including:

-- Mission-critical database access will enable in-vehicle computers

to interface with Georgia and National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) databases, giving public safety personnel access to information without tying up voice radio channels. Remote database inquiry capabilities could result in improved officer safety, increased arrests of criminals and the unburdening of dispatchers from routine inquiries. -- Unit-to-unit messaging will enable officers and emergency

personnel to send text messages directly to each others' computers without going through the network and tying up channels. Sending text messages directly can help eliminate errors that occur when voice communications must be repeated and remembered without text back-ups.

Future software application enhancements planned for the system include Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), a program that lets dispatchers and officers communicate incident details by sending text messages, and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), a program that enhances the CAD feature by allowing dispatchers to determine patrol car location without the use of valuable radio frequency.

"Voice and data communications applications working together are crucial in providing personnel with mission-critical information. They need to know exactly what type of person and situation they're dealing with in every instance, so they can better fight crime, respond to emergencies and provide quality service to the community," explained Major Ross McCain of the Columbus Police Department's Bureau of Support Services. "This data system sets in place an infrastructure that we can build on and that is easily migratable to future technologies and enhancements."

The network was integrated and tested at Motorola's Customer Center for Systems Integration (CCSI) prior to installation to help ensure the system's performance. CCSI is one of the few centers in the world where two-way wireless voice and data networks are thoroughly tested before shipment.

The contract with Motorola includes the initial purchase of a two-site, 19.2 kbps Motorola Private DataTAC(TM) network with 30 laptop computers and 30 Motorola PRM 660(TM) Portable Radio Modems. The new system will complement Columbus' existing Motorola SMARTNET(TM) 800 MHz voice two-way radio system. Columbus' wireless data project is expected to be complete around 2005, at which time more than 600 police, fire and emergency vehicles are scheduled to be equipped for wireless data communications.

Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector is one of the world's leading providers of analog and digital two-way voice and data radio products and systems for applications worldwide, from on-site to wide-area communications.

Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors and advanced electronic systems and services. Major equipment businesses include cellular telephone, two-way radio, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Communication devices, computers and millions of other products are powered by Motorola semiconductors. Motorola's 1997 sales were $29.8 billion.

Private DataTAC, SMARTNET and PRM 660 are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

Contact Motorola toll-free for additional information at 1-800/247-2346 or visit our website at www.mot.com/wirelessdata

    CONTACT:  Motorola
               Mike Doheny, 847/576-6931
                or
               Columbus Consolidated Government
               Ron Hamlett, 706/653-4153