P25 Interoperability
You’re counting on it… do you really have it?
White Paper
P25 Interoperability
Will you have interoperability with other agencies during an event? Is your LMR system still P25CAP compliant?
Approximately 3,000 P25 radio systems have been installed by Public Safety agencies. The P25 Compliance Assessment Program (CAP) was established in 2007 by DHS Science and Technology, SAFECOM, industry and the emergency response community to develop national voluntary standards for interoperable emergency communications.
Testing of P25 equipment began in 2010 with results posted to the DHS Website P25 CAP. The P25CAP test standards have been revised and expanded several times over the past 10 years. DHS has announced intentions for program changes in 2023 to make sure all legacy equipment is still compliant. Why? Because P25 equipment manufacturers have been continuously introducing new products and features.
Changes to components of the P25 system could potentially impact interoperability.
Revised hardware / software / firmware updates
New radios added with old radios
New manufacturer radios added
New routers,cables, servers, etc.
You may consider these “best practices” to assess the compliance of your P25 radio system and keep it current.
- Review the status of the P25CAP test standards and program changes announced in 2021.
- Public Safety agencies should ensure their systems and radios are still P25CAP compliant and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure interoperability.
- Consider using an independent P25CAP test lab to assess P25 and other features during equipment procurement, post installation verification and to ensure all features are operating as expected.
- Conduct periodic verification.
- Check with your P25 Equipment manufacturer about how they ensure new products are compliant and their programs to keep legacy equipment up to date.
- Create system road map of installed equipment and firmware/software version numbers.
