Motorola today launched the first -ever personal digital assistant (PDA) to operate on TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) networks. The new, robust PDA delivers public safety users pocket-sized access to essential two-way data applications whilst on the move. The PDA offers the same value of Motorola’s TETRA hand-portable radios: Always On, Trusted, Reliable and Secure.

The PDA has been developed to meet the rugged requirements of public safety organisations that need secure access to real-time information on the move. Users can access person and vehicle records, report crimes and accidents, and issue penalty tickets via the PDA's application suite. This functionality meets public safety users' targets to spend more time on visible, active patrol and increase daily productivity.

Options available include Bluetooth, WLAN, GPS and camera, allowing pictures to be circulated quickly from the PDA. The pocket-sized device measures 145mm (L) x 83mm (W) x 35-50mm (H) and weighs less than 500 grams. With its large 3.5" TFT screen, it provides the ideal form factor for users to work with the information.

Using the TETRA network to deliver data to the PDA gives emergency services access to a controllable data pipeline that remains continuously available, even during a major incident, and at a competitive cost.

Nick Carter, Product Manager, Motorola TETRA subscribers, comments: "Motorola developed this PDA to reflect the growing needs of customers who want to deliver relevant applications directly to mobile officers. With the launch of this product we are demonstrating TETRA as the appropriate, reliable and secure bearer for public safety users of data. The pocketable, TETRA PDA and the applications suite it can provide will really help meet their productivity needs."

With the same levels of security as Motorola's TETRA radios, the PDA supports authentication and encryption. Motorola plans to make the device commercially available by Q3 2006.