The new P25 Standard
CREST’s emergency radio communication system is currently undergoing a $24.5 million upgrade in technology. As such, the system will now advance to a P25 Standard. P25 represents a suite of standards for digital radio communications used by federal, provincial/state and local emergency response agencies across North America. It is considered a world standard.
Key
Advantages
A primary feature of the P25 system upgrade is the migration from a mixed mode analog/digital platform to an all digital platform. The most distinct advantages of this upgrade in technology are improved reliability, increased capacity, superior audio clarity, and better coverage.
Improved Audio Clarity
In an emergency response situation, lives depend on clear and accurate communications, both for system users and the public. With the migration of CREST’s P25 system from an analog to digital platform, audio clarity will be significantly improved. In layman’s terms, you could compare this to evolving from a walkie-talkie style audio experience to current day cell phone clarity.
Superior noise suppression
The P25 system upgrade means superior background noise suppression for users. Imagine the scene of an incident wherein fire, police and ambulance services are each responding. In these noisy environments, the need to call for additional back up, communicate between response agencies, or receive new dispatch information is very real. The superior noise suppression capabilities of the P25 system make everyone safer.

Increased coverage
The P25 system upgrade will further strengthen coverage over a wide geographic area, optimizing the current infrastructure and expanding it. CREST’s plan provides for an additional 20 transmit sites giving users a higher level of service in more areas of the region. Using simulcast technology, users will experience ease of roaming and a lower rate of dropped calls. Simulcast is also more spectrum efficient. This equates into higher system capacity and quicker access onto the P25 network.
Timeline for
implementation
CREST’s P25 system upgrade is underway via a phased multi-year implementation plan.
Safety For All
See how the P25 upgrade improves public safety.
Key Facts about the P25 system.
20 Shareholders
20 Board Members
7 Staff Members
50 User Agencies
Over 2,000 Men and Women Providing Safety Services