State of Colorado

Digital Trunked Radio System

Making the System Affordable

 In today’s analog two radio systems, users have a diverse spectrum of equipment suppliers to choose from.  This choice allows the user to select equipment that offers the features, reliability and capabilities within their budgets.  The requirements for radios used by fire fighters are much different that those used by a code enforcement officer.  The fire fighters radio must work in extreme  temperatures and is exposed to water and other chemicals. The radio can be the fire fighters lifeline and just as essential as the fire hose and water.  The code enforcement officers radio is not exposed to the same conditions as the fire fighters radio and  does not need to be built to the same specifications.  Manufacturers of radio equipment have recognized this difference for some time and many have chosen to offer product lines to meet the specific user needs.   Some manufacturers offers products for all levels, yet some have chosen to only offer one particular level.  This diverse need and diverse product offerings allow users to select the vendor who provides the best value for their dollar.  Competition among the vendors helps lower the cost of the equipment.

 With conventional analog radio systems “a radio is a radio is a radio”.  It doesn’t matter who the manufacturer is, they all use the same technology and can talk to each other.  With digital technology a “radio is not a radio  is not a radio” unless they use common technology. The heart of any digital system is a micro computer that requires programs or software to run the system.  If the software that runs the system is not compatible, systems from different manufacturers generally cannot interact.  This is very true in the personal computer world with the incompatibility of IBM compatible systems and Apple computers.  There are many manufacturers of IBM compatible systems in a highly competitive market. The IBM clone has become the  de-facto standard in the PC world.  On the other hand Apple is the only source for Apple compatible equipment.  Until very recently hardware and/or software was not available to allow user application to run on both systems. Even today it takes additional add on converter boards and/or specialized software for these system to share applications.  This incompatibility is a result of different technologies chosen by the manufacturers based on corporate strategies and technology developments.  

This same scenario is about to take place in the digital radio world.  As radio technology has advanced, so has the use of micro computers and software to control these system.  Migrating to digital systems will make two way radio systems totally dependent on micro computers and software.  Existing trunked radio systems, built by different companies use proprietary hardware and software to run their systems.  An incompatibility problem already exist with current trunked systems. Users of these proprietary systems cannot communicate with each other with out specialized (and usually very expensive) hardware and software.  These systems require that all pieces and parts be purchased from a single company.  Once the system is purchased and installed there is little or no choice where to purchase additional equipment.  No competition generally means higher prices.  What this means to the users is less choice, less control and less value for their dollar.

 The State of Colorado has chosen to build a statewide digital trunked radio system (DTRS).  In the planning of this system, the Division of Telecommunications recognized the need for different types of radios, not only for different types of uses, but to keep the cost of the equipment affordable for smaller agencies.  By providing a wide variety of user equipment through the use of high spec, mid spec and low spec state contracts¹.  The users can select the type of radio the meets their own particular operational needs and that is affordable.  The tiered state contracts also allow for more competition from both large and small companies, which also helps keep equipment costs down.  Smaller agencies can further reduce the cost of new equipment by purchasing their radios through the state contracts.  This gives small agencies the same buying power as the state.  These economies of scale, is one more way to keep the equipment cost as low as possible. 

In order to assure equipment compatibility the state has also chosen to build the DTRS to a specific set of operational and technical standards.  The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International Inc. (APCO) has just recently completed the development of voluntary standards for digital trunked radio systems.  The development of these standards was a concentrated effort of state, local and federal public safety agencies and equipment manufacturers. The standards process,  named APCO Project 25 will assure that equipment built to the standards will communicate with other equipment from different manufacturers.  By building an APCO Project 25 standards based system, it assures inter-operability, allows for more potential equipment suppliers which in turn increases the competition, which in turn helps drive equipment costs down. 

 In the overall planning process of the DTRS one of the main objectives was to make the system affordable.  While new equipment required for the system will be more expensive than current equipment, the features and capabilities will be tremendous.  By building a standards based system and using tiered equipment contracts, users will be able to choose equipment to meet both their operational needs and financial capabilities. 

1.(Equipment tiers are divided by quality, features, reliability, capacities and cost. Higher specifications usally mean higher cost.)