Phoenix Participates in Test of Prototype Public Safety Radio Gateway

The city of Phoenix announced on Friday that it had participated in multi-agency live testing of a prototype radio communications gateway connecting existing regional public safety communications systems to each other.

The testing was a collaborative effort involving the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Phoenix Regional Wireless Network (PRWN), the Yuma Regional Communications System (YRCS) and Motorola Inc. The test was initiated by the Arizona Public Safety Communications Commission (PSCC) Statewide Radio System Demonstration Project and funded through a combination of local, state and federal funding streams.

"Public safety is our number one priority and Phoenix is a proven leader by using new technology to enhance public safety communications between various agencies," said Councilman Claude Mattox, chairman of the city's Public Safety Subcommittee.

The trial deployment was the first radio test using an Inter RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) gateway and digital microwave technology to connect Phoenix's and Yuma's Project 25 networks. The exercise was conducted to test interoperability between PRWN, YRCS and DPS along the transportation corridor between Phoenix and Yuma, and successfully demonstrated the feasibility of linking multiple systems so that they act as extensions of one another, providing increased coverage and interoperability for all participants.

"We are very pleased with the results of the testing," said Rob Sweeney, assistant chief information officer for the city of Phoenix Information Technology Services (ITS). "We are committed to supporting the city's public safety communications projects and collaborative efforts such as this to provide communications interoperability throughout the state."

The 800 MHZ PRWN was implemented in 2004 to support public safety and municipal radio communication systems. Today, the network serves Phoenix and 18 adjacent metropolitan jurisdictions, and provides interoperability with at least a dozen federal, state and county agencies. In Phoenix alone, the system currently supports the Police, Aviation, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Public Transit, Street Transportation, Water Services, Human Services, and Library departments, Municipal Court and Valley Metro Rail, with more than 11,000 radios on the network.

The Fire Department has several hundred radios on the network for interoperability with police, but is still working to transition onto the system for full operations.

The benefits and advantages of PRWN's interoperability have previously been demonstrated during the 2004 presidential debate, 2006 BCS National Title game, 2007 Fiesta and Insight Bowl games, 2007 TOPOFF 4 Exercise and the 2008 Super Bowl in Glendale, AZ. PRWN is also used regularly for the DUI and Fugitive Apprehension task forces.