Motorola Solutions completes $1B Airwave acquisition

Scahumburg-based Motorola Solutions announced it completed its acquisition of Airwave, a public safety network operator, for approximately $1 billion.

Airwave, based in Slough, England, provides a communications network for the U.K.'s emergency fire, police and ambulance services, according to its website. Motorola announced its intent to purchase the company in December.

The company purchased Airwave on a debt-free basis with a net cash payment of approximately £700 million - approximately $1 billion - at closing. In addition, a deferred cash payment of £64 million - approximately $90 million - will be made in November 2018.

"The acquisition of Airwave enables us to significantly grow our managed and support services business and reflects our commitment to the public safety users in Great Britain," said Motorola Solutions Chairman and CEO Greg Brown. "The combination of our years of experience as a trusted global leader in mission-critical communications and Airwave's proven service delivery platform will provide Great Britain with innovative emergency services technology that enhances public safety today and into the future."

Airwave delivers voice and data communications to more than 300 emergency and public service agencies in Great Britain, including police, fire, rescue and ambulance services. Motorola Solutions has been a trusted, reliable communications partner to the emergency services community in Great Britain for more than 45 years. Recently, the UK Home Office awarded Motorola Solutions a long-term contract for the user services (Lot 2) for the Emergency Services Network (ESN), the future public safety network based on long-term evolution (LTE) technology.

Motorola intends to incorporate Airwave into its 2016 financial outlook, which will be released Monday.