Tait one of first four P25 manufacturers on Department of Homeland Security approval list

Tait Radio Communications is delighted to be among only four land mobile radio manufacturers to be named by the US federal government as having a recognized P25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP) laboratory.

Now that the Tait laboratory facility has passed its assessment, this joint facility with EADS Secure Networks North America can carry out interoperability and performance testing required to issue Supplier's Declarations of Compliance (SDoCs).

"Tait is pleased to be among the first to possess a lab which is recognized for the full suite of tests that are specified under the P25 Compliance Assessment Program," says Tait North America President Steve Cragg.

The P25 CAP laboratory will undertake joint interoperability testing on Tait P25 equipment, network controllers from EADS Secure Networks North America, and also will test interoperability with mobiles and portables of a variety of manufacturers.

The government-organized P25 CAP helps assure buyers of P25 equipment that radios and networks from participating manufacturers will work seamlessly. "Public safety and government agencies can collaborate effectively and taxpayers' dollars are saved because freedom to choose is maintained in a multi-vendor environment," said Steve.

The P25 CAP is a partnership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST*), the P25 radio industry, and the emergency response community. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that agencies – especially those receiving federal grants for interoperable communications – purchase equipment that has passed P25 CAP testing.

"This new laboratory will become an important tool in helping first responder agencies throughout the country realize the vision of the P25 standards process," said Steve Shanck, the Executive Vice President-General Manager of EADS Secure Networks North America. "Our joint interoperability testing endeavor with Tait Radio Communications is part of EADS Secure Networks North America's commitment to facilitating the introduction of P25-standard equipment at the local, state and national levels."

*All Tait encrypted P25 products, including TP9155 mobiles and TP9155/9160 portables, are already validated to FIPS 140-2 by NIST, meaning the radios' encryption techniques adhere to stringent federal regulations.