SEMCO ENERGY to Install Motorola ASTRO Integrated Voice and Data Digital Two-Way Radio Solution

Business Wire, Sept 9, 1997

PORT HURON, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1997--SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY has awarded Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector (LMPS) a contract to install the first phase of a five-phase installation of an ASTRO integrated voice and data digital two-way radio system. Using the system, SEMCO ENERGY will be able to take advantage of spectrum efficiency by integrating both voice and mobile data capability on one radio channel. The ASTRO system will replace SEMCO's existing UHF analog voice-only system and mobile data technology will be a new addition to its communications capability. The first phase of SEMCO's ASTRO network will be installed by mid-September.

"The ASTRO integrated voice and data system complies with new FCC requirements for narrow banding and provides the level of service and performance we require, while improving voice coverage through digital technology," said Walt Fitzgerald, SEMCO ENERGY Manager of Technical Services. "In addition, we will be able to take advantage of mobile data technology to improve employee efficiency and provide better customer service."

The system will be used by maintenance, operations, gas and transmission workers who service southeastern and southwestern Michigan for customer service, order dispatching, trouble management data collection, database inquiries, call scheduling and urgent service applications.

SEMCO's ASTRO integrated voice and data system will include installation of mobile computers in maintenance and operation vehicles. As a result of being able to access information immediately, workers can keep track of appointments and confirm them directly with customers.

SEMCO's mobile data system will allow dispatchers to remain in constant contact with field personnel, which means dispatchers can respond faster to changing demands, resulting in improved responsiveness. Because field personnel can directly access SEMCO's host computers, they can obtain information when they need it, which can result in improved productivity. Additionally, SEMCO ENERGY can benefit from improved accuracy because field personnel can access more current information, which better prepares them to do their jobs.

Other advantages of using an ASTRO integrated voice and data system include:

-- Buying and maintaining one radio and one base station is

typically more cost-effective than managing two

separate systems for voice and data.

-- ASTRO offers full-duplex operation over the radio channel,

allowing different data transactions to occur

simultaneously on the channel's separate frequencies.

-- Motorola's Digital Sense Multiple Access voice and data

"respect" each other. Two-way communication remains

uncluttered because "busy bits" help voice and

data messages avoid collisions.

Renamed SEMCO ENERGY this year, Southeastern Michigan Gas Enterprises, Inc. was formed as a holding company in 1977 and had four direct subsidiaries: three natural gas (Southeastern Michigan Gas Company, Battle Creek Gas Company and Michigan Gas Company), which are now one subsidiary known as SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY. The second subsidiary is SEMCO ENERGY SERVICES, a diversified company with operations and investments in various segments of the natural gas industry. SEMCO ENERGY SERVICES' principal operating activity is natural gas marketing, which it does for approximately 245 customers located in several states. These customers include industrial, commercial and municipal natural gas users, natural gas distribution companies and other marketers.

Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector is one of the world's leading providers of analog and digital two-way voice and data radio products and systems for applications worldwide, from on-site to wide-area communications.

Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors and advanced electronic systems and services. Major equipment businesses include two-way radio, cellular telephone, paging and data communications, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics and computers. Communications devices, computers and millions of other products are powered by Motorola semiconductors. Motorola's 1996 sales were $28 billion.

ASTRO is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.

Contact Motorola toll-free for additional information at

1-800/247-2346 or at http://www.mot.com/LMPS

CONTACT: Motorola

Mike Doheny, 847/576-6931

or

SEMCO ENERGY

Jo Ann Wilton, 810/987-2200 x4188