Motorola Solutions
A global provider of mission-critical communications, video security, and command-center technologies.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
Motorola Solutions, Inc. is an American technology company serving public-safety agencies, governments, critical infrastructure operators, commercial enterprises, and other organizations that require dependable communications and security systems. Headquartered in Chicago, the company is the legal successor to the public-safety and enterprise side of the former Motorola, Inc. It became an independent company on January 4, 2011, when Motorola was separated into Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. Motorola Mobility contained the mobile-phone business and was later acquired by Lenovo, while Motorola Solutions retained the communications, public-safety, government, and enterprise-security operations. The company’s business is centered on three connected areas. Its critical-communications portfolio includes land-mobile-radio devices and networks, including P25 and MOTOTRBO systems, dispatch consoles, broadband push-to-talk services, coverage-extension equipment, and managed support. Its command-center portfolio connects voice, video, location, records, computer-aided dispatch, emergency-call, evidence, and real-time intelligence data so that emergency personnel can coordinate incidents. Its video-security portfolio includes cameras, video-management platforms, artificial-intelligence analytics, body-worn and in-vehicle video, automatic license-plate recognition, access control, smart sensors, and remote monitoring. Motorola Solutions has expanded beyond traditional radio hardware through acquisitions in emergency communications, software, cybersecurity, video surveillance, access control, cloud services, and artificial intelligence. Brands and technologies associated with the company include ASTRO, MOTOTRBO, Avigilon, Pelco, Airwave, WatchGuard, Rave Mobile Safety, and HALO Smart Sensor. Its software supports emergency call handling, computer-aided dispatch, records management, crime analysis, mass notification, incident management, business continuity, digital evidence, and public-safety analytics. The company also operates or supports managed communication networks and services for public-safety and commercial customers. A major strategic turning point came in 2014, when Motorola Solutions sold its enterprise mobile-computing and barcode-scanning business to Zebra Technologies. This divestiture sharpened the company’s focus on mission-critical communications and public-safety technology. Subsequent acquisitions progressively broadened its capabilities in software-defined communications, emergency call centers, video security, cloud-native analytics, cybersecurity, access control, and frontline workflows. Motorola Solutions positions itself as a premium, integrated provider for customers whose communications and security systems must operate during emergencies and other high-consequence events. Its products are commonly deployed by police, fire, ambulance, border-security, transport, utilities, schools, retailers, industrial companies, and government agencies. The company competes through installed infrastructure, long-term support relationships, specialized software, interoperability, regulatory knowledge, and the integration of communications, command-center, and video-security data. Its business combines hardware sales with software subscriptions, managed services, maintenance, and professional services.
History
Motorola Solutions originated in the 2011 restructuring of Motorola, Inc. On January 4, 2011, Motorola’s businesses were separated into two independently traded companies. Motorola Solutions inherited the former parent’s public-safety, government, enterprise-networking, and communications operations, while Motorola Mobility received the mobile-phone and consumer-device business. Motorola Solutions therefore became the legal successor to the original Motorola for the communications and public-safety activities, rather than a newly created start-up with an unrelated business history. In its first year as an independent company, Motorola Solutions resolved a trade-secret dispute with Huawei. The settlement helped enable the completion of the sale of its networks business to Nokia Siemens Networks for $975 million in cash. Approximately 6,900 employees and support responsibilities for GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, WiMAX, and LTE products moved to the acquiring business. The transaction reduced Motorola Solutions’ exposure to carrier-network infrastructure and reinforced its focus on public-safety and enterprise communications. The company continued to develop specialized communications products. In 2012 it introduced the LEX700, described as an early handheld public-safety LTE device. The rugged product was designed to connect public-safety users across LTE, cellular, IP, and P25 environments, reflecting the industry’s movement toward combining traditional land-mobile-radio systems with broadband data. A further strategic refocusing occurred in 2014, when Motorola Solutions completed the sale of its enterprise business to Zebra Technologies for $3.45 billion in cash. The divested operations included rugged computers, tablets, barcode scanners, and related assets from Symbol Technologies and Psion. About 4,500 employees transferred to Zebra. After the sale, Motorola Solutions concentrated more clearly on mission-critical communications, public-safety software, video security, and related services. From 2014 onward, acquisitions became a principal method of expanding the company’s platform. Twisted Pair Solutions added secure push-to-talk over broadband. Emergency CallWorks, PublicEngines, Spillman Technologies, Airbus DS Communications, and 911 Datamaster strengthened emergency call handling, computer-aided dispatch, records management, crime analysis, and next-generation 911 capabilities. Airwave Solutions brought ownership and operation of a major British public-safety radio network serving emergency and public-service organizations. The company then moved decisively into video and physical security. Avigilon added cameras and analytics; VaaS International Holdings contributed license-plate capture and image analysis; WatchGuard added body-worn and in-car video; and IndigoVision, Pelco, and Videotec expanded video-security hardware and software. Openpath added cloud-based access control, while Envysion extended video analytics into retail and quick-service restaurant environments. Later acquisitions such as IPVideo and Silent Sentinel broadened the portfolio into smart sensors and long-range rugged cameras. Motorola Solutions also built capabilities in cybersecurity and cloud services. Lunarline contributed cybersecurity consulting and compliance services, while Delta Risk added managed security operations and security orchestration technology. Acquisitions including Ava Security, Calipsa, and Noggin expanded cloud-native video analytics, anomaly detection, business continuity, and critical-event management. Rave Mobile Safety added mass notification and emergency-communications tools for institutions and public-safety agencies. By the mid-2020s, the company was extending its software strategy into frontline communications, emergency-response automation, and specialized wireless networks. Theatro added voice-controlled workflow software for frontline workers, RapidDeploy strengthened cloud-native 911 capabilities, and 3tc Software added control-room applications for fire, rescue, and police services. The proposed or completed transactions described in the source material indicate continuing expansion into counter-drone systems, radio-frequency intelligence, advanced wireless mesh communications, conversational artificial intelligence, and cloud-based recording. Motorola Solutions’ overall evolution has therefore been from a radio-centered communications supplier into an integrated technology provider linking voice, video, data, software, analytics, and managed services for high-consequence operations.
- 2024
Noggin and 3tc Software acquisitions
[1]Motorola Solutions adds business-continuity and critical-event management software through Noggin and control-room software through 3tc Software.
- 2022
Cloud and specialist security portfolio expands
[1]The acquisitions of Ava Security, TETRA Ireland Communications, Calipsa, Videotec, Barrett Communications, Futurecom, and Rave Mobile Safety expand cloud video, radio, coverage, and emergency-notification capabilities.
- 2020
UN settlement-related listing becomes public
[1]Motorola Solutions is included in a United Nations database concerning business activity linked to Israeli settlements.
- 2018
Avigilon acquisition completed
[1]The company adds a major video-security and analytics platform.
- 2016
Airwave Solutions acquisition completed
[1]Motorola Solutions acquires the UK public-safety radio-network operator Airwave Solutions.
- 2014
Enterprise business sold to Zebra Technologies
[1]The divestiture of rugged computers, tablets, and barcode scanners narrows the company’s strategic focus.
- 2012
LEX700 public-safety LTE device introduced
[1]The company introduces a rugged handheld designed to combine public-safety broadband, cellular, IP, and P25 connectivity.
- 2011
Motorola Solutions becomes an independent public company
[1]Motorola, Inc. separates its public-safety and enterprise operations into Motorola Solutions and its mobile-phone operations into Motorola Mobility.
Products and positioning
A premium, integrated provider of mission-critical communications, public-safety software, video security, and command-center systems.
Public-safety land-mobile-radio
ASTRO
ASTRO is Motorola Solutions’ public-safety communications platform, centered on mission-critical land-mobile-radio networks, subscriber radios, dispatch, coverage, and related services. It is designed for agencies such as police, fire, and emergency medical services that require resilient voice and data communications across large or difficult operating environments.
Commercial two-way radio
MOTOTRBO
MOTOTRBO is a digital two-way-radio family for commercial, industrial, public-sector, and enterprise users. The portfolio combines portable and mobile radios with repeaters, dispatch, broadband connectivity, and software features intended to improve team coordination, worker safety, and operational control.
Command-center software
CommandCentral
CommandCentral is a software environment for integrating public-safety information and workflows. Depending on deployment, it can connect emergency calls, dispatch, records, evidence, video, analytics, and field information so agencies can manage incidents and share operational context across departments.
Video security
Avigilon
Avigilon is a video-security brand acquired by Motorola Solutions in 2018. Its portfolio includes surveillance cameras, video-management software, access and security technologies, and analytics intended to identify events, investigate incidents, and improve situational awareness for public-safety and enterprise customers.
Video-security hardware and software
Pelco
Pelco is a video-security brand acquired in 2020. It provides surveillance cameras, management systems, and related security technologies for commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and public-sector environments.
Smart security sensor
HALO Smart Sensor
HALO Smart Sensor is a multi-purpose sensor designed for locations where conventional video surveillance may be inappropriate, including restrooms, classrooms, and some residential settings. The system combines environmental monitoring with capabilities such as smoke and vapor detection, gunfire detection, and audio-based security alerts.
Emergency notification and incident management
Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety provides mass-notification and incident-management tools for organizations and public-safety agencies. Its systems are intended to help institutions communicate rapidly during emergencies and coordinate information among affected communities and responders.
Controversies
2020
Inclusion in United Nations database concerning Israeli settlements
Motorola Solutions was included in a United Nations database of companies reportedly involved in activities connected with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The listing generated criticism from advocacy organizations and forms part of the public controversy surrounding the company’s activities in the region.
2011
Trade-secret litigation involving Huawei
Motorola Solutions and Huawei resolved a dispute involving allegations concerning trade secrets. The settlement was relevant to the company’s planned transfer of its networks business to Nokia Siemens Networks.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquire AvigilonM&ABackground
Motorola Solutions sought to strengthen its video-security and analytics capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired Avigilon, a Canadian video-surveillance equipment and software provider.
Aftermath
Avigilon became a foundation of Motorola Solutions’ video-security portfolio.
2014
Exit enterprise mobile computingStrategyBackground
The enterprise business included rugged computers, tablets, barcode scanners, and assets from Symbol Technologies and Psion.
Action taken
Motorola Solutions sold the business to Zebra Technologies for cash.
Aftermath
The transaction concentrated the company on mission-critical communications, public-safety software, video security, and services.
Sale consideration. $3.45 billion cash (2014)
2011
Separate the public-safety business from the mobile-phone businessStrategyBackground
Motorola reorganized its major businesses into separately traded companies with different markets and strategic priorities.
Action taken
Motorola Solutions was established as the independent company for public-safety, government, enterprise communications, and related security operations.
Aftermath
The company became the legal successor to the original Motorola’s communications and public-safety activities, while Motorola Mobility held the mobile-phone operations.
Recent events
Motorola Solutions completes $1.5 billion acquisition of D-Fend Solutions[3]
Reported:
Motorola Solutions completed its $1.5 billion acquisition of D-Fend Solutions, expanding its counter-unmanned aerial systems capabilities for public safety and enterprise customers. D-Fend's RF cyber-takeover counter-drone technology is deployed at airports, military bases and critical infrastructure in more than 30 countries.
SFR introduces Motorola Solutions broadband push-to-talk service[4]
Reported:
SFR chose Motorola Solutions to provide a broadband mission-critical push-to-talk solution, which SFR will deliver through its nationwide network. SNCF is the first customer in France to implement the service.
Sources5 sources
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