Sprint and Motorola have announced a new network interoperability solution, that would allows Nextel Direct Connect users to connect directly to first responders using a Project 25 land mobile radio (LMR). The pair say the solution creates “a new level of interoperability by allowing the two types of push-to-talk services to communicate with each other.”

As part of the solution, Motorola developed a gateway, MotoBridge IP Interoperable solution, that facilitates the integration of disparate networks (different bands, system types or vendors) to provide enhanced communications among users for day-to-day or emergency applications with built-in scalability to allow numerous agencies, users and dispatch locations to be supported. In addition, Advanced Nextel features such as, Group Calls, Call Alert Status Messages, Talkgroup Calls and Emergency Alerts are enabled seamlessly through the solution.

“The collaboration between Motorola and Sprint is a critical step to further boosting communications capabilities for public safety personnel,” said James Lee Witt, former FEMA director, in a Sprint statement. “It is essential to enable interoperability and simplify communications when operating on different frequencies.”