In emergencies, the ability to effectively communicate is critical. In fields where high-stress and dangerous situations are common, radio communication has long been an effective tool in keeping everyone informed and aware of vital information. A common issue with radio communication has been closed standards and having to use specific vendors or brands of equipment due to a lack of cross-compatibility. The P25 radio network seeks to address these issues and makes use of technological improvements such as P25 interoperability to make communication cheaper, more accessible, and easier to manage. Every type of radio system offers its advantages and this is also true of P25. Here are some of the core benefits of P25 and the reasons you should consider making use of this system.
Six Advantages P25 Offers Its Users
When you have an established radio system in place, making a change is a choice that is not undertaken lightly. If your current radio system has disadvantages you want to address or issues that are impacting your work, here are some of the ways P25 can help.
- It Uses Open Standards: a common complaint with radio systems is that the standards are closed. P25 does not have this issue. What this means for you as an end user is that you have a greater choice of the equipment you use. This includes not only your radios but also repeaters, your network equipment, and other dispatch tools and gear. This means you now have access to a wider selection of tools, and you can use equipment for various vendors and manufacturers without encountering compatibility issues. This also adds the advantage of being able to communicate with different teams and even agencies, as vendor comparability is no longer a concern.
- Better Prices: having a limited selection of vendors often leads to higher prices and a lack of selection. If you are locked into one vendor, you are limited to what equipment that vendor sells and the prices they set. With an open standard, you can pick from a wide range of vendors and focus on the best prices and the best equipment for your agency’s needs. This also extends well past buying your equipment and can also save money when making upgrades or buying replacement equipment or parts.
- Backward Compatibility: P25 radios are digital, but they can also communicate with older analog FM radios. This enables communication with other agencies or teams who have not yet made any upgrades. Backward compatibility also allows for a more measured upgrade of your existing system and means you don’t have to buy and install everything at once. Often, it is simply not realistic to upgrade your entire communication system and the associated equipment all at once.
- Safety: to protect information and communication encryption is an important tool. P25 was designed from the beginning to be used for safety systems and by first responders in emergencies. This means encryption tools are standard and prevent your communications from being listened to by an unauthorized third party. This protects information that is not meant to be known by unapproved individuals.
- Better Sound Quality: older analog radios have a lower sound quality and the further away you are from a repeater the more noticeable sound issues can become. P25 is a digital system that helps keep your sound quality at a higher level over a larger area.
- Ease of Use: P25 retains many of the same features and services you are currently making use of. This means that even when you update your network and communication equipment, standard procedures and rules of operation can remain unchanged. This reduces the need for retraining and prevents confusion.
These are just some of the advantages P25 offers and as the technology continues to grow and mature it will offer further benefits to you and your agency.