In The News

Update on P25 from Palmetto 800

February 10, 2016

February 8, 2016 Palmetto 800 Users, On November 30, 2015 the State of South Carolina signed a new contract with Motorola Solutions extending the Palmetto 800 system contract until June 30, 2023. The new contract includes updating the Palmetto 800’s almost twenty year old technology to the current P25 National Public Safety Standard in 2017. Prior to system cutover all radios on the system must be P25 equipped and programmed. Key P25 Questions:

What happens if my radio is NOT P25 ready when my area cuts over to P25?
- Permanent Service Interruption until upgraded. Your radios will not work.
I thought Rebanding updates included P25?
- NO – Rebanding was an FCC mandated frequency change only.
- P25 is a radio technology change from analog to digital.

Are State grants or funding available to help cover radio upgrades, replacement and/or programming? DTO does not have any grants or funding available.

Will user fees change? Palmetto 800 contract rates did not change. The State Contract has included 4.1 and P25 rates since about 2008?
- Current 4.1 users will see a 15% increase in rates when they switch to P25.
- Current P25 users will not see any changes in rates.

If you have not already done so, it is critical that you review your agency’s radio inventory NOW to determine what steps are needed to upgrade your radios. The 2016/2017 budget is your last budget cycle to complete P25 upgrades and programming. Please contact me if you have any questions. Respectfully, George Crouch Public Safety Communications & Emergency Operations (803) 896-0367 [email protected] Additional Common P25 Questions and Answers:

What grants may be available to help cover P25 upgrades?
- SLED Homeland Security grants, FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grants, Justice Grant, Highway Safety Grants are suggestions.

Why do we have to move to P25, why can’t we stay where we are?
- The technology and equipment used in the current Palmetto 800 system is dated (some components are 20 years old) and approaching the end of its expected life. Starting in 2018 key components will no longer be supported. As a public safety system we cannot afford to run in an unsupported mode.

How long have we known about this migration?
- We have been discussing P25 migration since 2001. In 2003 although a date was not set, the decision was made to not allow any non P25 capable radios on to the Palmetto 800 system so users would start to be prepared. Though P25 migration was targeted to move earlier, it was pushed back due to the economic down turn and the number of radios that needed to be replaced. In 2011 the user advisory committee discussed and started publicizing the target migration period of 2017 so users could budget for their needs. We are now at a point that we cannot wait any longer due to the end of support issues.

When do I need to update my radios?
- Now! Flash upgrades for XST2500, XST5000 and equivalent mobiles are only available through December of 2016.

When do my radios need to be reprogrammed with the new P25 system information?
- No later than December 31, 2016.

What will change in my radio?
- New system ID, Radio ID, and talkgroup ID’s

As a 4.1 Palmetto 800 user when will my rates change to the P25 rate?
- The first billing period after you switch over to P25.

Who do I contact for assistance?
- Local Motorola Sale Rep or MR
- Dennis Coomer- (803) 407-5606
- Campbell O’Keeffe- (770) 755-1712

Here is copy of this letter in PDF