AI is transforming Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility, 13 years after their split

Over many decades, Motorola was a leader. In fact, they used to be the king of the wireless hill, as well as other sectors. They guided the cell phone industry and a few other sectors to growth. However, in the early 2000s, they found the wireless tides had turned. There were new challenges they were wrestling with. So, they made a tough decision and split up in 2011.

Let’s now take a look at the changes these companies have been through, where they are today and what their future looks like.

After leading the wireless and cellphone sector for decades, the industry shifted in new directions. Suddenly Motorola was not the only competitor. In fact, several other companies had entered the space and rapidly grew their market share at the expense of Motorola.

The wireless industry was transforming away from a higher-cost space to a low-cost space. The problem was Motorola was not a low-cost competitor. Watching the wireless industry rapidly change from a telephone centric space to data centric, with loads of apps through today with new technology like AI, the company found itself like a fish out of water.

The Motorola PR and industry analyst executives I spoke with showed there was an obvious disconnect between their vision for the industry, and what was actually happening.

Motorola fought against a strong current of wireless change

My opinion was they didn’t see the threat this change represented, until it was too late. They were fighting against a strong current of change and like the salmon swimming upstream. Wireless became one of the most dynamic, rapidly changing industries of all time. And it still is with new technology like private wireless, 5G-A, FWA and more.

Over time, leadership changed as well, as it would several times going forward. Motorola lost their footing. That’s when Nokia and Blackberry took the lead. That lasted several years, until they too lost their footing to iPhone, Android and the app market. Motorola, Blackberry and Nokia moved from their leadership position to the back of the line.

So much change was occurring in the wireless marketplace, and Motorola found itself trapped between yesterday and tomorrow. This seriously weakened company had to make some changes, and immediately.

That’s why on Jan. 4, 2011, Motorola Inc. broke up into two different companies. One was Motorola Solutions MSI , which focused on areas like public safety and enterprise security. The other was Motorola Mobility, now owned by Lenovo LNVGF , which stuck with the wireless and smartphone side of the business.

It has been roughly 13 years since Motorola split up and we have watched both sides compete separately in their own sectors. Motorola Mobility still sells wireless smartphones like the folding Razr, Edge, Moto G and more. They are Android devices. This is a tough marketplace with many competitors, from low to high priced. Motorola has a solid reputation building long-lasting, high-quality smartphones.

Motorola Solutions says they build and connect technologies to keep people, property and places safe. Today, new technologies like AI are continuing to transform this company and all their competitors.

Thirteen years after splitting up, now AI is impacting and changing every industry and every company in every sector. This includes both Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. Things have progressed over the past decade and with AI and other new technologies, I see this not only continuing, but accelerating.

Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown saved and grew the new company

Greg Brown was the first and is still CEO of Motorola Solutions over the past 13 years. He has done an amazing job of clearly seeing the predicament Motorola found itself in, successfully splitting the company in two, and subsequently growing the company in new areas as the technology continues to advance and change.

I met Greg back in the Ameritech days in the 1990s and was impressed with him back then. After watching his performance over time, I am not surprised to see his success with Motorola Solutions.

Next, new technology like AI is transforming every company in every industry. It will do the same with Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. I am excited to see the new directions both companies will grow in going forward. New technology is rewriting the rules. It is not only blending different industries but is also transforming every industry and all companies.

The next decade should be even more exciting than the past one. Both companies have done a solid job over the past decade. I am looking forward to watching and commenting on the next decade.

So, buckle up, we are just getting started.

Read more: Where have AI, 5G and wireless taken us?