To PTIG Members and P25 Affiliated Interests:
We did a sweep of the currently published sessions scheduled for APCO 2010. These were selected as being of interest for the Project 25 Technology Interest Group, and other affiliated interests on behalf of Project 25 for interoperability and system planning. Put these into your plans, in addition to the exhibits, for time spent learning about Project 25 technology and choices. You can dig deeper for each presentation at the APCO 2010 Conference website ( http://www.apco2010.org/ ).

APCO 2010 Conference Sessions of Interest to Project 25 Technology Interest Group Listed in Chronological Order:

City of Houston, Texas Leading the Country in the Development and Implementation of Its New $130 Million Next-Generation P-25 Phase 2 700 MHz Trunked Radio System
Sunday August 1; 3:25 to 4:15 pm.; Session Code 2024.

The City of Houston, TX is currently implementing the first large scale 700 MHz P-25 Phase 2 trunked radio system in the Country. The City leveraged intense market competition with unique and innovative approaches for system development and procurement saving $50 million while acquiring a robust system design, strong performance guarantees, and some of the best pricing ever seen in a project of this nature. This presentation will provide an overview of the City's $130 million project, the excellent strategies and approaches used, an overview of the benefits achieved, issues addressed and lessons learned thus far in the project.

• Absolute, must have requirements for the development and implementation of a new Public Safety standards based trunked radio system.
• Innovative techniques for leveraging market competition to obtain strong system performance guarantees while dramatically reducing system cost. This process saved the City of Houston $50 million in this project
• Important system implementation lessons learned in this very first complex wide-area $130 million Project 25 Phase 2 700 MHz trunked radio system located in Houston, Texas, the site of the 76th National APCO Exposition

Gregory Munchrath, RCC CONSULTANTS.
Tom Sorley, CITY OF HOUSTON.

Improving radio communication security through better encryption management.
Monday August 2, 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Session Code 2109

An overview of P25 encryption and why key management is crucial to improving radio communication security. This session will introduce encryption, explain why encryption is needed and the various methods of getting keys into radios. There will be a discussion on how good encryption management can save staff time, while reducing the threat to outside eavesdropping. The presentation will address the dangers of poor asset and key management. Finally, there will be an outline of how encryption management can assist in responding to exceptional circumstances, such as when radios are lost or stolen.

• Why is encryption management important for public safety services?
• How will it improve the safety and efficiency of staff on the front-line?
• I've got encryption - why do I need to manage it? What are the benefits of better encryption management?
• What's the best method for me to encrypt my radios? What choices are available?

Simon Britten, TAIT

When Will P25 Radios Really Be Interchangeable Between Manufacturers?
Monday August 2, 4:30 to 5:30pm. Session code 2136

We still hear stories of P25 radios from Vendor X not working on Vendor Ys system. Why is this?
What do public safety radio users have to do to ensure their agencies avoids this problem?

• Understand the benefits of having multiple vendor sources of subscriber radios on P25 trunked and conventional systems.
• Understand the P25 standard, and the 3 levels of features
• Review reasons why sometimes different manufacturers’ equipment does not work on a P25 system, and the issues encountered in implementing a multi-vendor P25 network
• Discuss the steps the LMR industry is taking to improve the situation, including the P25 CAP testing of P25 radios, when it will happen, who will be doing it, and what it will do and not do for the interchangeability of multiple vendor subscriber radios
• Some practical ‘lessons learned’ on using multiple vendors’ subscriber radios on a P25 system

Facilitator John Facella, HARRIS. Includes panel representatives from EADS and from TAIT.

Project 25: User’s Perspective Briefing and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, August 3; 1:30pm- 3:00pm Room: 332F

A Panel of users will present a briefing from the user's viewpoint, not from the manufacturer's viewpoint.

• Includes a panel of five P25 users, their panel discussion, and plenty of opportunity for Q&A from the audience attendees.

Facilitator, James Downes, DHS.

The New Multi-band Radios and Their Impact on Interoperability
Wednesday August 4, 10:45 to 11:45am. Session Code 2116

The introduction of multi-frequency band, subscriber radios can clearly change how we think about resolving interoperability issues. This presentation will provide an overview on the multi-band radios announced to date and capabilities. Building from the DHS Interoperability Continuum, we will examine some of the typical scenarios encountered by first responders and compare traditional interoperability approaches to use of multi-band radios in the hands of the responders. The presentation will also briefly review current grant programs that might present a viable means to pursue funding the purchase of Multiband radios based on their impact on interoperability.

• Overview of Current Multiband Subscriber Offerings
• How Multiband Subscriber Radios Can Change Operational Scenarios
• Brief Overview of Grants & Approaches to Seek Funding for Multiband Radios

Kevin McGeary, LR KIMBALL