Slow development of radio standards frustrates first responders

Delays persist in finalizing standards that would make the radios that first responders use interoperable, a problem that frustrates government officials struggling to find communication solutions in the vendor community. Public safety professionals are developing an open suite of standards, called Project 25 or P25, for manufacturing interoperable two-way wireless communications products. But development of the standards continues, making compliance impossible, according to witnesses who testified before the House Technology and Innovation Subcommittee on Sept 22.