Motorola Solutions has successfully completed all testing activities associated with Phase 3: Part One, with the Public Safety Communications Research Program (PSCR) located at the Department of Commerce, Boulder Laboratories in Colorado. The testing by Motorola and Ericsson successfully demonstrated the interoperability of the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) with three major network vendors.

Phase 3: Part One testing was performed in the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum which supports broadband for public safety.

The successful completion of the Phase 3: Part One test is a key milestone toward Motorola becoming an authorized supplier to FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network. The tests focused on demonstrating interoperability with other suppliers, a key component of building a nationwide network allowing public safety personnel to collaborate regardless of agency, jurisdiction or equipment manufacturer. 

Motorola previously announced the commercial release of standards-based LTE technology to public safety, with shipments beginning on Nov. 11, 2011. 

Motorola was able to support interoperability at both S1-Mobility Management Entity (MME) and S1-User (U) interfaces utilizing its RAN and EPC with the three network vendors. The interconnectivity of both the RAN and EPC demonstrated Motorola’s solution to support open network architecture under the 3GPP standards. Motorola also successfully completed network drive testing, demonstrating the performance of a single LTE network in an operational environment. Motorola successfully tested intra-LTE handoffs, network coverage, network load and stress, and application messaging/protocol performance.

Motorola’s UM1000 LTE USB Modem was selected by the PSCR test team to be the device of choice for all interoperability over-the-air and drive testing.

Motorola and Ericsson entered an alliance in September 2010 to provide an LTE-based solution for Next Generation Public Safety broadband communications. Ericsson is providing its LTE access equipment as well as parts of its packet core and related services to deliver broadband multimedia services to public safety.