Motorola faces price controls over UK emergency services radio contract

The UK’s police, fire and ambulance services all use Motorola’s secure Airwave radio system, known as ESN, the emergency services network. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

The UK competition watchdog is to introduce price controls on how much Motorola can charge the government for running the communication network used by police, fire and other emergency services, after finding it will make £1.1bn in excess profits by 2026.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said a lack of competition meant the US company, which runs the Airwave radio network that allows emergency services to communicate securely, is making £160m in excess profits annually.