Spending over $12B in research and development, as well as acquisitions, over the past decade, Motorola Solutions has once again solidified their position as the industry leader in land mobile two-way radio communications by launching their flagship APX NEXT and APX N70 series portable radios for public safety. Also introduced with these models, are mission-critical smart applications that take these devices to a whole new level. In this article, we will explore the smart applications that are available for purchase, how much each feature costs, and how they differentiate these advanced subscriber devices against other models available in the marketplace.

Section 1: Overview of Motorola APX NEXT and APX N70 Portable Radios

The Motorola APX NEXT is an all-band capable portable radio designed for first responders and professionals who rely on their portable radio as their lifeline in mission critical situations. With its rugged design, best-in-class audio algorithms, and integrated LTE connectivity, APX NEXT ensures seamless communication in even the most challenging environments. The APX NEXT XE and NFPA 1802 compliant APX NEXT XN models are variations of the traditional APX NEXT, but completely purpose-built for frontline firefighters with exaggerated knobs, waterporting speaker grills, extreme audio capabilities, the ability to be submersed, and the inclusion of intrinsically safe feature sets.

Similar to the APX NEXT, the Motorola APX N70 is purpose-built to meet the rigorous demands of various public safety agencies. The APX N70 combines robust hardware with advanced software to deliver exceptional performance in a slightly smaller form factor with single-band RF capability. Both devices represent a convergence of technology as they both include a “radio” and a “smart display” embedded into a single device. The radio side powers up within seconds and is available for use, just like a traditional radio. The “smart display” side of the device takes around 30 seconds to boot up, but runs a locked down version of the Android operating system. Don’t worry though, this is completely locked down and users cannot access an App Store or anything of that nature. From a feature set perspective, the device is almost identical to the APX NEXT, except it is only available in single band operation, it has a limited keypad whereas the APX NEXT has a larger screen and no keypad, and the APX N70 can also be ordered without LTE capability — to be field upgraded in the future. Both APX NEXT and APX N70 devices can be purchased out of the box to operate on the AT&T FirstNet or Verizon Frontline cellular networks to ensure users have priority and preemption when the cellular sites are at maximum capacity.

Section 2: Importance of Smart Application Subscriptions

While traditional radios were a one-time capital purchase, the APX NEXT and APX N70 devices incorporate mission-critical smart applications to maximize the functionality of the devices. These subscriptions offer a range of applications that enhance communication efficiency, improve safety, streamline operations, and provide real-time situational awareness. While the devices are available to be purchased without subscribing to any smart applications, many of the key benefits of these new smart radios will not be accessible without a subscription. The industry-standard for mission-critical radio systems is Project 25 (P25). P25 radio systems only have a 9600 baud control channel, which as you can imagine, provides for very limited bandwidth and data capabilities. By subscribing to these smart applications, users will get access to LTE broadband capability, allowing them to customize their devices to meet their specific needs by offloading data onto a broadband network, ensuring they always have the right information at their fingertips when seconds matter most.

Section 3: Available Application Subscriptions

While there are lots of applications available, for the purposes of this article and clarity, we are going to break the applications into 3 sections: Radio Smart Applications, Radio Services, and Dispatch Software. We will also provide various real-world use cases for these applications to help illustrate the power of having tools like these.

3.1 Radio Smart Application Descriptions

SmartConnect

SmartConnect ensures continuous communication by seamlessly switching between LTE, LMR, and WiFi networks. For lack of a better term, many users refer to this as voice over LTE or voice over WiFi capability. Just like how your cell phone will search for sites when it’s signal is low and seamlessly roam to the next available site with solid signal strength, APX NEXT and APX N70 devices can do the same with your traditional land mobile radio (LMR) system, cellular broadband, and pre-programmed WiFi networks. Since most cellular and WiFi networks are not built to full mission critical standards, radios can be programmed to prefer the LMR system and only roam to cellular or WiFi when LMR signal is limited. From a nuts and bolts perspective, the radio seamlessly roams off of LMR to the broadband network, authenticates in the SmartConnect provisioning portal (hosted on Microsoft Azure Government Cloud), which then routes that radio back to the Master Site of the LMR system it is communicating with. Whether a user is going into a hardened building like a school or hospital with limited LMR coverage, or the user is needing to communicate with his home radio system from out of state, there are many advantages to leveraging SmartConnect for enhanced coverage. There are also a number of scenarios where SmartConnect has been used as a capacity enhancement to a traditional radio system or even a back-up radio system. For example, a talkgroup can be configured for SmartConnect only operation and hosted on another neighboring master site. This effectively acts like a “virtual broadband talkgroup” whereby no traffic is passed over a LMR system, only the master site. This allows multiple talkgroups to be utilized without affecting the existing LMR system capacity making it ideal for backup radio system capability or disaster-response scenarios where additional capacity is required.

Advantages of SmartConnect:

1. Extended Coverage: By leveraging broadband networks, SmartConnect extends the communication range of APX NEXT and APX N70 radios beyond the limits of traditional LMR systems, allowing users to stay connected in remote or densely built-up areas.
2. Seamless Network Switching: SmartConnect automatically switches between LMR (Land Mobile Radio) networks and broadband (LTE, Wi-Fi) networks, ensuring continuous communication even when LMR coverage is unavailable.
3. Reduced Downtime: With automatic fallback to broadband networks, there is less downtime due to loss of LMR signal, ensuring that users can maintain communication during critical operations.

SmartLocate

SmartLocate provides the radio the ability to report its GPS location over broadband. As mentioned above, many P25 radio systems today are not even leveraging data due to the limited bandwidth in the data pipe (9600 baud). Of the P25 systems that are leveraging data capability for GPS tracking, many have cadences intervals of between 2 and 5 minutes. SmartLocate offloads that data to the broadband pipe allowing for up to a 6 second polling cadence. This is a drastic improvement over traditional radio data and allows reliable tracking of an individual’s portable radio on their hip. SmartLocate also supports emergency operation so that when a user initiates an emergency, their GPS location is reported to the CommandCentral Aware map and their icon changes (by default to an orange indicator to signify a user with an emergency). This is very powerful for dispatchers to be able to see exactly where a unit is and whether they are in an emergency status or not. 

Advantages of SmartLocate:

1. Improved Personnel Safety:  The ability to know the location of every team member in real time allows for quicker responses to emergencies, reducing the risk to personnel in dangerous situations.
2. Historical Location Data: SmartLocate offers the ability to review historical location data, which can be used for after-action reports, incident analysis, and improving future operational strategies.
3. Incident Response Optimization: With accurate location data, responders can be directed more efficiently, reducing response times and improving the effectiveness of incident management
4. Seamless Integration: SmartLocate integrates with other Motorola applications, such as SmartMapping and SmartMessaging, providing a unified platform for communication, coordination, and situational awareness

SmartMapping

SmartMapping allows a user to leverage the front, touchscreen display on the radio to see the location of other units around the user. SmartMapping requires a subscription to SmartLocate as a prerequisite. It basically takes the same information that is presented in CommandCentral Aware via SmartLocate and makes this information available to a user on the front of their radio. This allows a user to see any units around them that they’re authorized to see based on their security permissions. For example, a simple use case of this is someone performing a K-9 track through a field. A user can pull up the front of their radio and see how far away backup is, where in the field the K-9 officer is at, and if someone finds the assailant, the user can identify that officer on their radio and be visibly directed to their location. This is also ideal for setting up a perimeter whether for a brush fire or to box in a perpetrator. Users can visibly see on their map other users, including any GIS map layers that have been published. Today we have users in Florida that have tied their fire hydrants, landing zones, patrol zones, command post locations, rendezvous points, etc. into CommandCentral Aware via a public GIS map layer URL. This allows SmartMapping users to have this information at their fingertips and to identify their proximity to a specific point by simply looking at the front of their radio display.

Advantages of SmartMapping:

1. Situational Awareness: SmartMapping offers real-time location tracking of team members and assets on the front of the radio, providing a clear operational picture and enabling better decision-making in dynamic environments.
2. Customizable Map Layers: SmartMapping allows users to customize map views with different layers (e.g., street maps, terrain, satellite imagery), providing the flexibility to adapt to different operational needs.
3. Incident Pinpointing: Users can drop pins on the map to mark incident locations or other points of interest, which can be shared with other team members, aiding in rapid and coordinated responses.
4. Streamline Operations: By providing a visual overview of the operational environment, SmartMapping reduces the need for constant radio updates on location and status, freeing up communication channels and improving overall efficiency

SmartMessaging

SmartMessaging enables users to receive voice notes, video clips, and text messages on their radio. SmartMessaging also allows users to send text messages from their radios to other radios or a dispatch client. These messages are contained within the SmartMessaging ecosystem and are not cross-compatible with cellular text messages you might send from your Apple iPhone or Android device. The Motorola APX NEXT can send freeform text messages and the Motorola APX N70 can send pre canned messages. These messages can be sent from one user to another, or to a group that includes multiple users. SmartMessaging is a part of the WAVE PTX ecosystem (formerly known as the Kodiak product prior to MSI acquiring Kodiak.. this is also the same solution that powers the AT&T and Verizon e-PTT type solutions on the back end). The power of SmartMessaging really comes back to the age-old adage that a picture can be worth a thousand words. Imagine a scenario where an officer is verbally dispatched for a be on the lookout (BOLO) for a newer model silver Toyota Camry. Now imagine that same scenario, except the officer is able to receive an image of the vehicle to their portable radio on their hip. In the picture, the officer is able to identify that the car has a bullet hole in the left front quarter panel, is riding on oversized black rims, and has the driver side rear window busted out of it. That allows them to significantly narrow down their search for a more positive identification. The same thing can be said for silver alerts, amber alerts, or trespassers. Having the image at the officer’s fingertips delivers the necessary outcomes.

Advantages of SmartMessaging:

1. Improved Communication:  SmartMessaging enables multimedia messaging, allowing users to send and receive text, images, and video, facilitating richer communication compared to traditional voice-only radios.
2. Real-Time Collaboration: Users can share critical information instantly, improving coordination during operations and enabling faster decision-making.
3. Efficient Incident Management: The ability to send multimedia messages allows for more effective incident reporting and management, as field personnel can provide real-time visual updates from the scene.
4. Compliance and Record Keeping: SmartMessaging supports logging and archiving of all communications, which is important for compliance with operational protocols and for post-incident reviews.

SmartIncident

SmartIncident allows a user to leverage the radio to see Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) events on the front display. This smart application was launched at APCO 2024 and improves situational awareness, field response, as well as communication and interaction efficiency with other first responders and dispatch personnel. It provides an easy to use CAD client in a single smart radio rugged device that can leverage both broadband and LMR connectivities, and which is integrated with the CommandCentral Suite, the APX NEXT/N70 app services, and the agency’s CAD system. This smart application is CAD agnostic, so it works with Motorola’s Premier One CAD system as well as 3rd party solutions. SmartIncident allows users to have this information at their fingertips, which is ideal for users that may not have their laptop nearby such as patrol officers on foot and those riding a horse or bicycle.

Advantages of SmartIncident:

1. CAD Information Visualization: By having CAD information viewable on the front display of the radio, users can visually validate the type of incident they are being assigned to, their current status, and the location of the call they are responding to.
2. Incident Assignment Notifications: The radio can visibly and audibly alert the user that they have been assigned to a call. 
3. Unit Status Update: Allows users to mark themselves with statuses such as on and off duty, en route or on scene at a call, ready for assignment, etc. 
4. Ecosystem Integration: Coupling SmartIncident with SmartMapping allows the user to easily visualize their location in respect to the CAD incident location, as well as other units that are in close proximity or assigned to the same incident.

SmartProgramming

SmartProgramming streamlines the programming and configuration process for two-way radios with WiFi or broadband connectivity. In combination with Radio Central as the primary programming interface, SmartProgramming allows a radio to be read, programmed, flashed and firmware upgraded remotely without ever needing to plug a cable into the radio. Once a “job” is scheduled in Radio Central and pushed out to the devices, the devices will fully download the job and then a prompt will be displayed on the front of the radio telling the user there is an update available for them and it will also tell them the estimated amount of time to install and restart the device. The user can defer the update to be installed at a later time or they can choose to accept the programming, whereby the device will install the update, restart, and then communicate back to Radio Central that it has successfully completed the job so that all records are up to date in the Radio Central database.

Advantages of SmartProgramming:

1. Time Efficiency: By automating the programming process, SmartProgramming significantly reduces the time required to update and configure each radio. This allows teams to spend more time on their primary tasks rather than on device management.
2. Reduced Downtime: With over the air (OTA) updates, radios can be programmed and updated without taking them out of service. This minimizes downtime and ensures that communication remains uninterrupted.
3. Consistency and Accuracy: SmartProgramming ensures that all radios are consistently programmed with the correct configurations, reducing the risk of errors that can occur with manual updates. This consistency is crucial for maintaining reliable communication and record keeping in critical situations.
4. Scalability: As an agency or operation grows, SmartProgramming makes it easy to scale device management capabilities. You can quickly add new radios to your fleet and ensure they are programmed with the necessary configurations by cloning existing device templates without any hassle.
5. Enhanced Security: Keeping radios up to date with the latest software and security patches is essential for protecting sensitive communication. SmartProgramming ensures that updates are applied promptly, enhancing the overall security of your communication network.
6. Cost Savings: By reducing the time and labor associated with manual programming, SmartProgramming can lead to significant cost savings. It streamlines the entire process, allowing technical staff to focus on other critical tasks. This also saves money on overtime by not requiring users to stay late after a shift or come in early before a shift to have their radios reprogrammed. The devices can be reprogrammed or upgraded while they’re in the field.

SmartProgramming has been a huge hit and, in Florida, has been utilized for a number of disaster response scenarios allowing Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team radios to be programmed over broadband while they’re driving to a disaster area to ensure they can hit the ground running without having to get each radio manually programmed with a cable when they arrive at their destination. This feature also allows for the ability to add additional channels into radios remotely so when additional channels are required for an emergency operation, that information can be pushed to the devices from a central location and users in the field simply accept the update and now they have the additional channel in their radios.

ViQi Virtual Partner

ViQi Virtual Partner, not to be confused with ViQi Voice Control which comes standard with the new APX smart radios and allows for channel/volume changes, scan operation, etc. utilizing voice commands, transforms the way users interact with their radios and dispatch by improving information flow and offering real-time assistance with task automation. Depending on the state the device is being utilized in and the restrictions required for access, the APX smart radios can access local, state, and federal databases to afford an officer the ability to query addresses, license plates, and more, helping users make informed decisions quickly without ever having to take their eyes off of the situation in front of them. Task automation can also be performed, like updating a unit’s alias or status on the map with a simple voice command so the user can focus on the more critical aspect of their work. All of these items reduce the cognitive load on users and work load of dispatchers by handling routine tasks and providing real-time assistance. In scenarios where seconds count for the officer in the field and dispatch centers around the country are short-staffed, having AI-powered automation built into a portable radio provides a number of security and operational advantages.

3.2 Radio Services Descriptions

Motorola Essential Services and Device Managed Services (DMS) provide a comprehensive suite of support and maintenance options designed to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of Motorola APX NEXT and APX N70 radios. 

These services encompass a range of critical support activities, from routine maintenance and software updates to advanced technical support and hardware repair. On traditional XTS and APX series two-way radios, once their device warranty expired, a user would need to pay for radio repairs and updates at time and material. Now, Motorola Solutions offers different levels of Device Managed Services, with the standard configuration being Essential Services. 

Essential Services

Essential Services includes access to the latest software enhancements and security patches, remote technical support, hardware repair with options for replacement if repairs are not feasible, and priority access to support and repair services, minimizing downtime and ensuring devices are quickly returned to service. While these services are a part of the core offering, there are also additional DMS offerings like Advanced and Premier which provide local technical support from authorized channel partners like EMCI Wireless and can even include on-site pickup and delivery services and preventative maintenance checks on devices from the local field service team. Whether you prefer Essential, Advanced, or Premier services, they are all available with standard or comprehensive (Accidental Damage) coverage options. The primary difference being that Accidental Damage covers liquid and physical damage whereas the standard offerings only cover normal wear and tear on the devices. 

RadioCentral

RadioCentral is a cloud-based platform designed to simplify the management and programming of Motorola APX NEXT and APX N70 radios. This centralized solution offers a range of powerful tools to ensure that devices are configured correctly and maintained efficiently, providing greater control and flexibility over the radio fleet.

Key features of RadioCentral include:

1. Centralized Management: Allows administrators to manage all radios from a single, cloud-based platform, eliminating the need for multiple, disparate systems with out of date records.
2. Remote Programming: Enables over-the-air (OTA) programming and updates, allowing for configuration changes to be pushed to devices without the need for physical connections.
3. Fleet Management: Offers comprehensive tools for tracking and managing the status, configuration, and deployment of each radio in your fleet.
4. Custom Configuration: Facilitates the creation and deployment of customized configuration profiles tailored to different teams or operational needs.
5. User Access Control: Provides detailed access control options to ensure that only authorized personnel can make changes to the radio configurations.

3.3 Dispatch Software

While having information at the edge of the network (the radio in a user’s hands) is paramount, that information must be delivered efficiently and accurately from a dispatcher to ensure a swift, safe response by police, fire, and emergency services. The platforms below are purpose-built for dispatchers to deliver voice, data, and video information out to personnel in the field.

CommandCentral Aware

CommandCentral Aware is the cornerstone of Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral software suite. This software integrates real-time data from various sources, including video feeds, sensors, GPS tracking, GIS map layers, and communication systems, into a single, unified interface. CommandCentral Aware enables command centers to monitor incidents, track personnel and assets, analyze data, and coordinate responses more effectively from a web-based GUI interface. CommandCentral Aware is ideal for dispatchers or incident commanders that need a single pane of glass to effectively manage a critical event. 

SmartMessaging Dispatch

SmartMessaging Dispatch, also commonly referred to as WAVE Web Dispatch, this cloud-hosted, web-based interface allows users the ability to log into the portal anywhere with internet access to send and receive messages with their team or agency. This is commonly used by dispatchers and command staff to ensure text, pictures, or video are delivered to individual users or groups of users in the field allowing enhanced communication and coordination between first responders on critical incidents. 

Section 4: Smart Application Subscription Pricing

Motorola Solutions, traditionally known for its robust hardware products, is strategically transitioning into a software-centric company to meet the evolving demands of modern communication and public safety sectors. This shift reflects a broader industry trend where the integration of advanced software solutions is essential for delivering comprehensive and agile services. As part of this transformation, software as a service (SaaS) type models are becoming more common. These subscriptions provide customers with continuous access to the latest software updates, security enhancements, and support for the application features. 

Smart Application, Radio Services, and Dispatch Software subscriptions are priced out based on an annual basis. Agencies can prepay for up to 5 years or pay annually for these services. However, to lock in pricing for multiple years, an agency must either prepay or sign up for a multi-year subscription agreement which can be paid annually. If an agency decides to go year-to-year without signing a multi-year subscription agreement, there is always the possibility that the prices outlined below may increase.

4.1 Radio Smart Application Pricing

Motorola Solutions has 2 pricing models for Smart Applications – Standalone and Bundled. Standalone means that an agency purchases 3 or less Smart Applications per device. Bundled means that an agency purchases 4 or more Smart Applications per device and, in turn, they receive a bundled discount. 

• Standalone Smart Applications are $144.00 per application, per device, per year.
• Bundled Smart Applications are $75.00 per application, per device, per year.

Keep in mind that these Smart Applications also include your LTE cellular service, so if you subscribe to only (4) smart applications your annual price per radio will be $300, which breaks down to $25/radio/month. Not a bad deal when you consider that many cellular carriers charge that much just for traditional data, without including any smart applications!

Here is a chart for ease of reference:

Bundled Packages (4+ Apps Purchased)
Smart Application	Annual Price (Per Device)
SmartConnect	$75.00
SmartLocate	$75.00
SmartMapping	$75.00
SmartMessaging	$75.00
SmartIncident	$75.00
SmartProgramming	$75.00
ViQi Virtual Partner	$75.00

4.2 Radio Services Pricing

Essential Services Pricing

While all APX radios include a 1 year standard warranty, Essential Services are offered at the time of purchase and can also be renewed as long as there is not a lapse in coverage. 

While application subscriptions are only available for a term length as long as 5 years, Essential Services can be purchased for up to 7 years at a time. If a 7 year term is purchased, a 10% discount is applied, as shown in the table listed below.

Please keep in mind when you see “3 Years – Essential Service” listed below that means 3 years total of hardware device coverage, not 1 year of warranty + 3 additional years of service.

APX NEXT Device Managed Services
Description	Price (Per Device)	Annual Breakdown
3 Years – Essential Service	$230.76	$76.92
5 Years – Essential Service	$384.60	$76.92
7 Years – Essential Service	$484.60	$69.23
3 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$451.08	$150.36
5 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$751.80	$150.36
7 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$947.27	$135.32

APX N70 Device Managed Services
Description	Price (Per Device)	Annual Breakdown
3 Years – Essential Service	$205.92	$68.64
5 Years – Essential Service	$343.20	$68.64
7 Years – Essential Service	$432.43	$61.78
3 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$398.88	$132.96
5 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$664.80	$132.96
7 Years – Essential Service with Accidental Damage	$837.65	$119.66

Radio Central Pricing

Programming APX NEXT and APX N70 portable radios can be completed via the traditional programming cable, CPS, and Radio Management methods, but these devices can also leverage their integrated Wi-Fi and LTE cellular broadband capabilities to be programmed remotely. In order to program the devices over LTE, the Radio Central programming application must be used in conjunction with the SmartProgramming application subscription. 

Radio Central is priced on a per-device basis at $32.04 per radio, per year.

4.3 Dispatch Software Pricing

CommandCentral Aware Pricing

Access to the CommandCentral Aware mapping application is priced as an annual subscription based upon the number of endpoint devices being displayed on the map. The number of users logging into the web based application is unlimited. Any radio that has subscribed to the SmartLocate application can be displayed on the map, provided the user that is logging into the application has the security permissions required to see that unit.

The base package is referred to as “CommandCentral Aware Standard” and is priced at $5,500 per agency, per year. This package includes the first 100 radios being tracked.

From there, each additional 25 radios being tracked are sold in packs. The first 10 packs are $750 per pack, per agency, per year. Packs 11 and beyond are $165 per pack, per agency, per year.

In a more simplistic explanation, this means that the $5,500 base package includes the first 100 radios, then it’s $750 per 25 radios up to 250 additional radios (total of 350), then it’s $165 per 25 radios after that. As an example, to track 500 radios it would be 1 base package ($5,500), 10 packs at $750, and 6 packs at $165 for a total of $13,990 per agency, per year and that includes unlimited users logging into the application.

SmartMessaging Dispatch Pricing

Access to the SmartMessaging Dispatch application is priced as an annual subscription based upon the number of named users that need access to the web based application. Therefore, if multiple users need access to the application, each will need their own subscription whether they’re logging in simultaneously or not. 

Any radio that has an active subscription to the SmartMessaging application will be able to exchange messages with a SmartMessaging Dispatch user. 

SmartMessaging Dispatch is $540 per named user, per year.

Section 5: APX Radio Expertise: EMCI Wireless 

Florida has been at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge communication technology, particularly with the early implementation of Motorola’s APX NEXT and APX N70 radios in public safety operations. Recognizing the importance of reliable, advanced communication tools, many agencies across the state have made the transition to these next-generation radios to enhance their response capabilities and ensure the safety of both their teams and the communities they serve. This early adoption has positioned Florida as a leader in public safety communication, setting a high standard for other states to follow.

At the heart of this technological advancement in Florida is EMCI Wireless, a trusted Motorola Solutions channel partner for public safety agencies in the deployment of APX NEXT and APX N70 radios. Our team has been instrumental in assisting these agencies with the critical aspects of radio deployment by sharing industry best practices for using and managing these devices. EMCI Wireless provides our clients with the confidence and knowledge needed to maximize the potential of their new technology.

In addition to providing guidance and strategic planning, EMCI Wireless takes an active role in programming the APX radios to meet the unique requirements of each public safety organization. We understand that successful deployment goes beyond just handing over the devices; it involves thorough preparation, detailed customization, and ongoing support. By ensuring that each radio is correctly programmed and fully operational, we help agencies avoid common pitfalls and guarantee that their teams are ready to hit the ground running. This hands-on approach and our deep understanding of the technology reinforce EMCI Wireless’s reputation as experts in APX NEXT and APX N70 radios, making us the go-to partner for public safety communications in Florida.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your public safety operations—contact us now to get started!