Telecom Lead America: Harris Corporation has signed a $34
million contract with Saint Mary’s County, Maryland, to deploy a Project 25
(P25) Phase 2 standards-based radio system.
The project is aimed at providing greater coverage, including
in-building coverage, for voice and data communications throughout the county’s
764 square miles.
P25 is a suite of technical standards for the design and
manufacture of interoperable digital radio communications equipment.
Harris Corp claims that P25 Phase 2 system will deliver
cost-effective migration path from Saint Mary’s County’s current Harris
Enhanced Digital Access Communication System (EDACS) with minimal disruption to
day-to-day communications during implementation. The new system supports
interoperability with neighboring agencies, regardless of frequency band.
Bob Kelly, director of Emergency Services and Technology,
Saint Mary’s County, said the first responders in Saint Mary’s County are
committed to protecting the safety of residents. They require interoperable
communication solutions that perform when needed most.
The 10-channel P25 Phase 2 system will operate at 800 MHz
to provide radio capabilities for law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies. The
contract also includes long-term service and support maintenance. Adding to the
system’s cost effectiveness, the system design will leverage some elements of
the existing infrastructure, including antenna sites.
Steve Marschilok, president, Harris Public Safety and
Professional Communications, said that the Harris P25 Phase 2 system gives the
county’s public safety agencies the optimal path for modernizing their
communications.
The Harris P25 Phase 2 system is part of the VIDA
network, a unified Internet Protocol-based voice and data communication system
based on APCO P25 industry standards. VIDA delivers full IP management
features, including interoperability without intervention of console operators,
IP consoles, and other benefits inherent in open IP architecture systems.
