DTR Frequently Asked Questions 

DTR is a statewide digital trunked radio project being developed and built through partnerships between state and local governments to replace existing VHF/UHF two-way radio systems. The first phase of this multi-phase project was completed in 1999 with partnerships developed between the State of Colorado, Douglas and Jefferson counties. The state added to an operational system owned and operated by Douglas County. This approach has benefited all partners involved and will serve as the model for all future phases. The primary objectives of the project are listed below.

• Achieve Interoperability with all participating state and local agencies.

• Improve statewide radio coverage.

• Improve radio spectrum efficiencies.

• Develop and use partners to build statewide radio system, sharing associated costs and resources while providing added value for everyone.

The schedule is dependent upon partnership opportunities and funding. The preliminary
schedule is as follows:

            FY 89/99 - Pilot Phase (Phase I) Completed November 99

Proposed deployment of the pilot phase of the Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) equipment in the metro Denver area which includes all or portions of the following counties- Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson.

            FY 99/00 - Phase II Completed

Proposed deployment of Phase II of the Digital Trunked Radio System equipment in the remainder of the metro Denver area which includes all or portions of the following counties- Adams, Boulder, Clear Creek and Gilpin.

FY 00/01 - Phase III On schedule

Proposed deployment of Phase III of the equipment in northeastern Colorado and the eastern plains which includes the following counties- Elbert, Weld, Larimer, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma, Washington, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Morgan and Logan. 

FY 01/02 - Phase IV

Proposed deployment of Phase IV of the equipment in southeastern Colorado which includes the following counties- El Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, Teller, Custer, Otero, Las Animas, Huerfano, Baca, Prowers, Bent, Kiowa, Crowley and Chaffee.

FY 02/03 - Phase V

Proposed deployment of Phase V of the equipment in northwestern Colorado which includes the following counties-Mesa, Garfield, Rio Blanco, Routt, Moffat, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Lake, Eagle, Park and Summit.

FY 03/04 - Phase VI

Proposed deployment of Phase VI of the equipment in southwestern Colorado which includes the San Luis Valley and the following counties- San Juan, Hinsdale, Montrose, Gunnison, Ouray, La Plata, San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, Delta.Costilla, Conejos, Saguache, Alamosa, Rio Grande, Mineral and Archuleta.

Question 3) Who do I contact to participate and receive information on the system

• State of Colorado agencies should contact Larry Brooks at larry.brooks@state.co.us until agency designees are determined.

• Local Governments and Public Safety agencies may contact Larry Brooks at larry.brooks@state.co.us

Question 4) What will it cost me to participate?

• State agencies will receive equipment provided by Telecommunication Services funded through the Public Safety Trust Fund created by H.B. 98-1068. Maintenance will be provided by State Telecommunications just as it is done today.

• The levels of participation by local governments will vary from partners that own and operate portion of the system to single radio users (subscribers). At minimum local governments will be required to purchase their own mobile, portable and console equipment. State of Colorado discounted pricing is available to local governments and subsidiaries. Initial portable and mobile radio prices are approximately $3,400 each. As with all new leading edge technology pricing is initially high but is driven down by demand. Annual subscriber fees for single radio users (subscribers) are being developed in cooperation with all system owners.

Question 5) Is there money in the Public Safety Trust Fund for everyone?

• No. Rules have been created to process applications for moneys from the Public Safety Trust Fund created by H.B.98-1068 to local governments. Unfortunately the only appropriations to the fund as of this date are for State of Colorado agencies. As of February 15, 2000 we are not accepting any applications for funding to local governments.

• State of Colorado agencies need not apply for funding to purchase mobile and portable radio equipment. Radios will be supplied to those agencies on a one for one replacement program, based upon The State of Colorado Telecommunication Service's inventory dated February 1, 1999. Only known active radios will be replaced, known obsolete radios will not be counted. Assets supplied to state agencies will remain on Telecommunication Service's inventory instead of being transferred to the agency's inventory.

Question 6) Will we be able to talk to other agencies?

• Any state or local agency that choose to participate in the DTR project will have the capability to communicate with each other either, mobile to mobile or mobile to dispatch.

• NLEEC, State 3 and other interoperability channels will be available to agencies unable to participate in DTR at the present time.

Question 7) Can I have as many channels as I want?

• Channels (Trunking Talkgroups) will be assigned on a one for one replacement basis unless the agencies mission requirements mandate the need for more channels. These mandates/requirements will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

• Local government infrastructure owners will make their own channel (Trunking Talkgroups) assignments based upon their needs and requirements.

Question 8) I've heard that 800 Mhz won't work in the mountains how will it when my VHF system won't today?

• Cellular Carriers provide service throughout Colorado today, some better than others. This service is all 800 Mhz. Our testing has demonstrated that coverage provided by Digital Trunked Radio at 800 Mhz meets and in all cases tested so far exceed VHF coverage provided from the same locations. The State of Colorado coverage requirement is 95% coverage from any mobile in the street on all major highways. When requirements differ from the state's that local government or agency will be responsible for costs and equipment associated with meeting their unique requirement.

Question 9) Will my 800Mhz analog radios work on the statewide system?

• No. The system will not support analog radios. The statewide system digital and based upon the industry Apco/Project 25 suite of standards. Any radio built to these standards, regardless of manufacturer will operate on the system. The State of Colorado's intent is to award contractual price agreements for mobile and portable radio purchases to any vendor that meets this standard.

Question 10) Is my conversation private?

• The modulation and trunking format make it nearly impossible to monitor a conversation on a channel other than your own. As of this date we are not aware of any scanner that makes monitoring possible.

• Encryption technology is available as a system option but is not available as the statewide system is currently designed.

Question 11) Can I page a pager?

• No. Paging is not an option.

Question 12) Can I scan other channels?

• Scan is available but strongly discouraged. Scanning multiple channels on the statewide system is not reliable. This is caused by the design of the system not by any limitations of the mobile or portable radio. Scan is in direct conflict to achieving wide area coverage and efficient use of radio spectrum. The added benefits and functions outweigh any limitations and most have been resolved through changes in operational procedures.

Question 13) How long will current Local Government Users (Fire, Police, Ambulance, EMS, Sheriff’s, etc.) of a CSP Regional Dispatch Center be allowed to use they’re current systems. I have heard from six months to two years?

• Policy is evolving on this question so here are some facts. Except for State Channel 3 and NLEEC all CSP channels will be turned down as quickly as DTR is implemented and is reasonable. Participation in DTR is voluntary and we do not dictate to non-state agencies when they will or must turn their VHF equipment down but we support sooner than later. We are discussing service charges for maintenance of VHF/UHF to local governments that choose to keep those existing systems rather than participate in DTR. The CSP is still developing their operational policies in regard to dispatch services for local governments.

Question 14) If a region or county wants to add a paging system for emergency services that is compatible with the CSP console, will that be an option for that regional dispatch center? A number of regional dispatch centers currently answer E-911 for multiple county areas and provide first responder paging for a variety of agencies.

• DTR does not and will never provide paging capabilities. Paging done today on state 3 will be retained and operate exactly as it does today, if you are asking if we will enhance paging capabilities and coverage from this project the answer is no. If your customers require enhancement to paging systems where commercial systems are either not affordable or not in place we will still evaluate an engineering request as long as these are related to public safety. Equipment and materials costs for these enhancements would be the responsibility of the agency making the request.

Question 15) How long will it be before small counties can receive some financial help to make the system feasible and possible?

• There is no definite time frame for local government financial help. The Public Safety Communications Trust Fund and the rules regarding the distribution and repayment of the money in the fund do provide for payments to local governments. To date the legislature has not appropriated any money for this purpose. Telecommunication Services along with Senator Norma Anderson, Senator Ken Arnold and Representative Mark Larson have contacted several of the Colorado congressional delegation requesting federal assistance. At this time there is research being done to determine if there are existing grants or programs that might be used for this purpose. We have also identified several of the Department of Local Affairs grant programs that might be used for assistance. A listing of these programs is on the DTRS Web site.

Question 16) How can all of us work together to make affordability happen?

• It important to first understand the scale & magnitude of this project. The overall cost is affected by not only the cost of the equipment, but by the quantity of equipment that is needed. The State alone will buy over 11,000 mobile and portable radios and over 600 transmitters to be located at over 125 towers across the state. When you add in the local government requirements the numbers could double. As with any new technology, the early costs are very high, as time goes by and the market place dictates the costs will drop. The State is working with a number of manufacturers on lower priced equipment. We expect to see lower proceed units available in early 2001. Any local government agency may purchase equipment of the State contracts and receive the same discounts given to the State.

Question 17) Can anything be done to match state dissemination with local funding cycles?

• The State fiscal year determines the State timing of the project. The State is willing to work with local governments in an attempt to match local funding cycles to the extent possible.

Question 18) How well will the 800 MHz system work in mountainous areas?

• Extremely well, before 800 MHz was selected for the system extensive testing was done in all of the various terrain’s in Colorado. A comparison of 800 MHz analog and digital to the existing 150 MHz band was also done and in almost all cases the 800 MHz Digital system provided the best coverage. This is proving true for the mountainous areas in Douglas and Jefferson counties that have been using the system for some time.

Question 19) How will the state select sites for the new system?

• The system will be designed around the existing State sites and the State digital microwave system. Computer predictions of the radio coverage area are completed using these sites first. If holes or non-coverage areas are identified, the State will first look to existing sites and towers owned by other government agencies. Only as a last resort will new sites be developed.

Question 20) Are their alternatives for users that are "non-emergency" who still require some form of communications to carry on everyday business?

• If they currently use a locally owned and operated system they may choose to continue to use that system or they may choose to use DTRS. The DTRS is not limited to emergency communications only. There is adequate capacity on the system for other type of use. If non-emergency users are currently using a State of Colorado system they must move to DTRS or another local system.

Question 21) What will the new system cost counties?

• Cost will vary for each county based on their unique requirements and the quantity of radios needed. The State will assist in developing cost estimates if requested.

Question 22) How does the digital work versus analog?

• The digital signal works extremely well and in most cases better than the analog. Voice recognition is very good and those agencies that have been using the system are very pleased with the quality.

Question 23) What is the capacity of the digital microwave system that will accompany the 800 MHz system?

• The State microwave system was upgraded from analog to digital over the last 7 years in anticipation of DTRS. There is adequate capacity for the system and a significant growth capacity as well. Most of the digital microwave system is capable of carrying a minimum of 728 simultaneous voice channels.

Question 24) Are there any funding sources out there that can help local governments meet the needs to upgrade?

• See Question 15

Question 25) What are counties required to do under current law?

• Nothing is required, participation is voluntary. One of the primary goals of DTRS is to provide a common platform for interoperability between various governmental entities.

Question 26) How will the system tie into the existing 150 VHF high band system if an entity decides not to go with a new system?

• The existing 150 VHF system owned and operated by the State will be taken out of service as soon as it is feasible once DTRS has been implemented in each phase. State channel 3 and the National Law Enforcement Channel (NLEEC) will remain in place and active and will be the link for VHF users to access the new system. For local government owned systems, the State does not dictate when they will or must turn their VHF systems off. Most of the State fleet will keep a VHF radio until the entire State system is completed. This will provide a method for direct communications with VHF users.

 You can submit specific question not addressed above to  larry.brooks@state.co.us