Motorola digital radio system implemented at Gatwick

London Gatwick Airport will receive the Motorola Solutions MOTOTRBO Capacity Max system, alongside channel partner Servicom.

The system will provide improved voice and data communications to 1300 users at the airport, both airside and groundside. Ground staff, security personnel and maintenance teams across the airport will all benefit from its implementation.

The airport is one of the United Kingdom’s most important transport hubs, with more than 4.6 million passengers travelling through this July alone. The digital mobile radio (DMR) system will double the capacity of the existing analog network and is fully scalable, in readiness for the airport’s ongoing growth.

“We have experienced significant growth over the past decade and we are now approaching the limits of our previous analog system,” said Simon Telling, IT project manager at Gatwick Airport Limited.

“Migrating to scalable, digital communications will double our capacity and bring new capabilities that will help us improve efficiency and safety for staff, retail partners and passengers across the airport.”

The system possesses a dispatcher application that enables voice recording, mapping and event logging in the control room, as well as iBeacon indoor positioning, which allows alerts to be sent to individual radios based on location. With the new system, central controllers can dispatch the closest employee to an incident, saving staff valuable time.

Other built-in functions include settings for lone workers, geofencing to create restricted areas and automated escalation protocols, which will bring upgraded safety and security capabilities. As the hardware is connected to Wi-Fi, software updates can be sent to equipment quickly.

Vivienne Francis, EMEA vice president of channel sales and operations at Motorola Solutions, said, “Thanks to settings on the new devices which enable them to work on both the analog network and the new Capacity Max system, the migration will take place through a phased rollout with minimal disruption to working processes, another important advantage at a busy airport.”

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