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Motorola launches Australia’s first 800MHz ATEX and IECEx-certified TETRA radio handset for hazardous environments
Announcement posted by Motorola Solutions 27 Oct 2009
Australian workers in extreme and potentially hazardous environments, such as the oil and gas industries, will soon have access to advanced digital communications technology that could significantly improve their safety levels with the launch of Australia’s first ATEX (Explosive Atmosphere) and IECEx-certified digital radio from Motorola.
The MTP850Ex TETRA portable radio combines all the benefits of digital radio communications – including superior voice quality and clarity, user control, text messaging, and other digital-exclusive applications – with the highest-ever level of international safety ratings, making it the only TETRA IECEx-certified digital handset in the 800MHz band certified for use in hazardous and dusty environments in Australia.
“Until now, digital radios were not available to certain industries that have potentially hazardous gas or dust safety requirements,” says Steve Crutchfield, general manager commercial systems, Motorola Australia. “The MTP850Ex is specifically developed for use in potentially explosive environments like oil and gas plants, chemical refineries and aircraft refuelling areas, and has achieved both European and International safety certifications to prove it.”
Motorola Australia will demonstrate a complete digital radio solution, incorporating the MTP850Ex and the new Dimetra LiTE range of TETRA radio communications, at a series of launch events in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory this week. Crutchfield says the integrated system has several advantages over older analogue and basic digital radios.
“The MTP850Ex has a built-in GPS receiver so managers can quickly locate staff in the case of an emergency. The Dimetra LiTE system can also be integrated with other systems to automatically send audible and visual alarms to the handsets of responsible individuals in the case of a system failure, or when certain monitoring thresholds are exceeded. This in itself can save time – and lives – all as part of the standard communications system capability.”
Other notable features include an integrated ‘man-down’ alarm, and the ability to connect through to the PSTN phone network to make calls to terrestrial and mobile numbers.
“Traditional analogue radios are limited to voice-only communications,” says Crutchfield. “At a time when companies are under pressure to do more with less, the digital radio system not only adds important new safety features, it also increases the value of radio networks for their operators with the added functionality.
“Motorola is able to be first-to-market in Australia with these products because as the leader in the radio communications industry, we can incorporate detailed feedback from a broad range of customers working in extreme conditions in the research and development of new products that consistently meet and exceed the highest safety and usability requirements.”
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $30.1 billion in 2008. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.au.