As public safety and other government agencies consider options for radio communication networks that are based on older technologies well past their prime, P25 technology emerged as an alternative for digital two-way radio communications.
The P25, or Project 25, technology was developed for police agencies, other first responders, military branches, and security operations. Project 25 refers to a standard developed decades ago by a group of public safety and federal agencies that is designed for interoperability among different equipment manufacturers.
The technology enhances mb400 radio power, offering between five and 10 times the power of an LTE device. That means the radio communication networks can expand their coverage without the cost of expanding infrastructure. The technology also enhances the security of radio networks and allows users to configure systems that serve their organizations best.
States and municipalities across the U.S., including Texas, Florida, and New York, began adopting the P25 technology years ago, while the systems also have been adopted across the globe in countries like Australia, Canada, and the U.K. The P25 standard was designed to be compatible with existing analog systems, making the adoption of the technology easier for many public safety and government agencies that rely on secure communications.
What are the benefits of P25?
P25 radio networks offer public safety agencies a variety of benefits, including:
- Expanded coverage: P25 systems are more powerful, allowing greater coverage with less infrastructure
- Improved reliability: The digital systems are not as vulnerable as traditional radio network systems are to outages caused by natural disasters, including storms and power outages.
- Increased safety: Some P25 systems come with expanded features that offer GPS location tracking and emergency alerts.
While the advantages of P25 include enhanced technological features, greater reach, less cost, and more efficient radio communication networks, the popularity of P25 is more about its flexibility. Many public safety agencies operating with older equipment that needed replacement began to consider a P25 radio network because of its ability to host a variety of radio manufacturers within the same system.
Government money is now being spent on P25 systems that allow agencies to accommodate multiple radio manufacturers’ devices with the features that they need for the price they can afford. The technology also embraces other advancements that have helped public safety agencies and other users address challenges. For example, the P25 systems can accommodate Vocality RoIP, which offers users a range of easy-to-use small-form-factor RoIP connectivity solutions. It is a solution that is compatible with a variety of radio dispatch products by a variety of manufacturers, giving government agencies and other P25 users the flexibility to maximize existing land mobile radio products that they previously invested in.
How do P25 systems maintain reliability?
P25 vendors must ensure that their products are certified as being compliant with requirements established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agency produces a list of P25-compliant equipment that state and local agencies use to ensure the equipment they purchase meets the government’s standards.
P25 refers to the standards developed for the design, development, and evaluation of communications products for interoperable digital two-way land mobile radio systems that are created by and for public safety agencies. The P25 standard is critical to achieving interoperability among different manufacturers’ products. DHS oversees the P25 Compliance Assessment Program, which ensures that communications equipment used by public safety agencies is tested for interoperability and meets the standards. Manufacturers voluntarily submit their products for review by the program, giving them DHS approval that they meet P25 standards.
When should an organization consider a P25 radio network?
Because P25 systems are voluntary, many public safety agencies and other organizations are unsure when they should switch to the network for their operations. There are a number of reasons why you should consider a P25 radio network.
- Government communications grants, both state and federal, may require P25 compliance for public safety communications systems.
- The technology allows organizations to program their radios to meet their needs and to roam on a neighbor’s network, while also allowing them to roam on yours. This is particularly valuable in times of crisis or emergency responses to natural disasters.
