WHAT IS P25-Radio?

Project 25 (P25), also known as APCO 25 and ASTRO® 25, is the standardized two-way digital radio communications platform used by government and public safety organizations throughout North America. The primary goal of P25 is to establish an interoperable two-way digital radio communication platform, which is universal between all agencies. Through the use of TIA standards, the platform established a set of manufacturing standards for these interoperable two-way digital communications products to ensure compliance between various radio ecosystems and manufacturers products.

An important feature of P25 is that the development is user-driven. The needs of public safety professionals are paramount. Project 25 is not finished. The standards are constantly being enhanced and refined as new requirements are identified.

Another key aspect of P25 is the importance of migration strategies and backwards compatibility with existing equipment. Digital P25 radios even include an analog mode of operation that is compatible with existing FM radio equipment.

The Telecommunications Industry Association, or TIA, formulates and maintains the TIA-102 series of standards for APCO P25, on behalf of APCO International.

The Project 25 standards enable interoperability among multiple manufacturers of P25 products. This results in a greater range of products, both mobile and portable radios used by front line staff and also the network equipment, stored on hilltops and in dispatch centers.

Multiple manufacturers allow for price competition, both during the initial tender for a new radio system and throughout the life of the system as it’s expanded and maintained. It also allows for different agencies to communicate together, even if they’ve purchased their P25 equipment from different vendors.