Aug 1, 2001 12:00 PM

The city and county of Honolulu has implemented an Internet protocol radio system within its police department to increase officer and public safety on the island. As an enhancement to the department's existing EDACS trunked radio system, this system serves as a backup to regular police dispatch consoles.

The “IP Radio” system comes from Catalyst Communications Technologies and Com-Net Ericsson Critical Radio Systems, and uses voice-over-IP technology to distribute audio over an existing WAN or LAN, linking radio and computer users. When a field radio transmits, packetized voice information can be simultaneously routed to multiple dispatch positions across the island. When a dispatcher replies, the audio can be distributed not only to the radio users but also to the other dispatchers across the island.

“IP Radio gives the city's radio system an added robustness that protects it against both natural and man-made disasters,” said Curtis McKim, Catalyst's technical lead for the project.

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