Airwave Solutions

Airwave Solutions is a UK public-safety communications company that operates a dedicated communications network for police, fire and other emergency-service organisations. Its business is focused on mission-critical network, voice and data communications rather than consumer devices. Based on the available information, the company was established in 2000 and acquired by Motorola Solutions in 2016, after which it became part of Motorola Solutions’ public-safety communications business. Publicly verifiable information available here is limited, so no further claims are made about its standalone brand strategy, contract scale, revenue or current organisational structure.

Airwave Solutions was established in 2000 to build and operate dedicated communications infrastructure for the UK public-safety sector, providing voice and data capabilities to police, fire and other emergency-service organisations. Its role has been centred on mission-critical communications requiring high reliability, continuous availability and inter-agency coordination, rather than ordinary commercial mobile services. Motorola Solutions acquired Airwave Solutions in 2016, after which Airwave became part of Motorola Solutions’ public-safety business. The available material does not provide sufficient detail on network construction phases, technology-standard changes, major contract timelines or subsequent brand-management arrangements, so the history is limited to these confirmed points.

• 2016
• 2000

A specialist public-safety communications operator providing resilient, secure, nationwide professional mobile radio infrastructure for emergency services in Great Britain.

• Airwave public-safety communications network

  A dedicated communications network for UK police, fire and other emergency-service organisations, supporting voice and data communications in mission-critical situations. It is the core infrastructure and service platform associated with Airwave Solutions.

• 2011

  Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riots

  A policing review reported significant local technical difficulties and a communications failure affecting some officers during the riots. Some officers used personal mobile phones, while the National Policing Improvement Agency said the network covered all 16,000 officers and remained fundamentally resilient.

  Source

• 2011

  Airwave performance during the England riots

  During the 2011 England riots, some police officers experienced significant local technical difficulties and communications delays while using Airwave equipment. Reports said some officers used personal mobile phones for coordination. A policing review described a significant communications failure, while the National Policing Improvement Agency argued that the network covered all 16,000 officers and was fundamentally resilient.

  Source

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• 2022

  Emergency Services Network launch moved to 2026[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Product generation

  By 2022, the planned launch of the LTE-based replacement network had been delayed to 2026. A procurement request also sought suppliers for TETRA Encryption Algorithm 2 radio devices and related maintenance services.

• 2018

  Airwave contract extended as Emergency Services Network implementation slipped[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  The existing Airwave contract was reported as extended through December 2022 after delays to the Emergency Services Network programme.

• 2017

  Emergency Services Network timetable was delayed[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  The Public Accounts Committee warned that the replacement network might not be ready for its planned December 2019 deadline, highlighting risks to the proposed transition away from Airwave.

• 2016

  Airwave acquisition by Motorola Solutions completed[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Motorola Solutions completed its acquisition of Airwave, making the British communications operator a wholly owned subsidiary.

• 2014

  United Kingdom announced the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The government announced a programme to move emergency-service communications from the private Airwave network to a new LTE-based Emergency Services Network.

• 2012

  Airwave provided Apollo radio service for the London 2012 Games[1]Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Other

  Airwave operated a separate TETRA-based private radio infrastructure for the London Olympic and Paralympic venues. The Apollo system supported voice communications for more than 18,000 event staff and volunteers.

1. 1Airwave network faced communications difficulties during the 2011 England riotsen.wikipedia.org