Marconi/Com-Net Ericsson Alliance is Catalyst for TETRA Opportunities in North America
10 August 2000
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Marconi has entered a strategic alliance with US-based PMR (Private Mobile Radio) specialist Com-Net Ericsson to distribute Marconi's TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) mobile communications equipment in the US.
Under the new agreement, Com-Net Ericsson will sell the Marconi TETRA portfolio, including all the fixed element components and user terminals of a fully standards-based TETRA network necessary for a customised, turnkey private communications system. The two companies will also develop jointly next-generation TETRA solutions for the US market.
Luciano Maciotta, Managing Director Mobile Radio, Marconi, said: "Com-Net Ericsson is a natural partner for this division of Marconi's business, with a strong presence in the North American private mobile radio market. We bring skills and practical experience of implementing TETRA to this strategic alliance, complementing Com-Net Ericsson's strong distribution channels. We will apply our joint research and development resources to take advantage of a tremendous market opportunity."
Com-Net Ericsson was formed in January of this year when Com-Net Critical Communications, Inc. acquired Ericsson's Private Radio Systems business. Com-Net Ericsson is a strong player in the "critical" radio communications sector with an installed base of 500 systems worldwide.
Com-Net Ericsson's Chief Executive, Steve Savor believes that Marconi's TETRA portfolio is a tremendous asset to the companies joint efforts to further penetrate the global market and expand the North American market for next-generation digital radio communications.
"We had the opportunity to team with almost all of the existing TETRA manufacturers" said Mr Savor. "We felt that Marconi had the best system offering. It is extremely efficient, scaleable and particularly well suited for critical radio operations. They also have the only proven 800 MHz TETRA solution. We are very pleased to be working with an organization that has their expertise."
Marconi and Com-Net Ericsson will be displaying and demonstrating their TETRA portfolio - the Elettra system - at the forthcoming Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International Conference & Exposition (13 - 17 August 2000) at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, including interoperability tests of TETRA equipment at the Marconi and Com-Net Ericsson stands. Following this event, Marconi will take part in an inaugural workshop organised by the North America TETRA Forum (NATF) - the TETRA 2000 Workshop and P25 Phase II TDMA Update - on 18 August, also in Boston.
TETRA's next-generation digital radio technology is ideal for any group of users needing high-performance wireless communications. Marconi, one of the world's leading suppliers of standards-based TETRA networks, is currently implementing TETRA-based communications systems in 400 and 800 MHz for a variety of professional users around the world.
Marconi plc is a global communications and IT company, with 49,000 employees world-wide and sales in over 100 countries. It supplies advanced communications solutions and the key technologies and services for the Internet.
Notes to Editors:
TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) is a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)-based standard developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) for a new generation of digital trunked radio products. It is ideal for any group of users needing high-performance wireless communications, including the emergency services, utilities, public services and engineering-based companies.
TETRA combines the features of digital cellular, mobile radio, wireless data and paging with national coverage, high voice quality, fast call set-up and support for private workgroups of users. It delivers secure, high-quality communications whatever the signal conditions and in noisy environments, with easy-to-use, two-way conversation - including full telephone network interconnection. Internet access and even image transmission have been demonstrated successfully.
Today, most public safety organisations, such as ambulance services, run their own (analogue) systems known as PMR (Private Mobile Radio); many other users rely on systems from PAMR network operators. TETRA works in both types of network, supporting both private and public users.
Com-Net Ericsson Critical Radio Systems, Inc. offers total communications solutions that provide land mobile radio customers with reliable, state-of-the-art technology and products with unique financing and maintenance options. Totally focused on critical communications, Com-Net Ericsson serves public safety, utility, industrial, commercial and government organizations worldwide.
For further information on Com-Net Ericsson, visit their website.
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