Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System
What Is the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System?
Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) is Iowa’s statewide P25 standard digital Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) is Iowa’s statewide P25 standard digital communications network. It creates unprecedented connectivity for public safety agencies, first responders and schools, as well as providers of public services like power and utilities, public health, and emergency management.
ISICS provides law enforcement officers, first Responders and others often need to be able to talk to each other, clearly and immediately, in many significant situations that affect public safety, such as:
- Natural disasters (floods, tornadoes, blizzards, storms)
- Emergencies (active shooter, mass casualty, fires)
- Large events (coordinating crowds, equipment, traffic)
As a state-of-the-art wireless digital communications platform, ISICS puts heightened safety and effectiveness at the forefront, delivering seamless interoperability, secure, reliable communications and cutting-edge voice and data capabilities.
Iowa began its journey toward interoperability with legislation enacted in 2007. The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) Board was established in that legislation, within the Department of Public Safety and with shared responsibility by the Department of Transportation.
The ISICS Board includes representatives of First Responders from across the state and from across the spectrum of potential users. The Board has developed policies for the coordinated use of the statewide network, and has overseen the development of the statewide system.
The ISICS radio system, designed by Motorola Solutions, began construction in 2016.
Secure Operability & Interoperability
Encrypted, full featured mobile coverage baseline across the entire State of Iowa with enhanced portable coverage in densely populated area. System allows local agencies to utilize and realize cost benefits from using existing infrastructure as well as easily add additional infrastructure as needed to meet agency specific portable radio coverage requirements. State-wide and seamless interoperability is possible with agencies currently utilizing the system.
Meet and Exceed Your Critical Requirements
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
Allows for the most efficient allocation of frequency resources by splitting channels into time slots and allowing more users to operate on the same channel without interference.
Geo-redundant Cores
Ensure communications are never lost with a strategically-located redundant core.
Local Control
The system is designed to encompass separate talk groups, assuring total security and local control of administration and operations to each user agency.
27,000+
subscribers
95%
statewide mobile coverage
90+
towers throughout iowa
$0
users fees
Unparalleled Interoperability
ISICS will enable transparent interoperability between statewide and local agencies, with none of the limitations imposed by system-to-system gateways.
- Seamless, full-featured interoperability.
- Statewide roaming and interoperability for all ISICS system users.
What Are the Benefits?
Managed Network
ISICS is a managed solution with enhanced levels of services that allow you to focus, not on how the communications network works or on keeping it running, but on your core competencies of delivering constituent services.
Reliability
ISICS has been designed to prevent equipment failures from affecting system performance. Individual system components are either fault tolerant or designed for redundancy, ensuring that communications will be continuous, most importantly in mission-critical emergency situations.
Interoperability
ISICS communities have real-time communications with each department, enabling life-saving coordination of operations and emergency response. They can also communicate and coordinate with neighboring agencies for support and response assistance without having to worry about technology compatibility.
Statewide Coverage
The ISICS network will host over 85 sites and provide 95 percent mobile coverage across Iowa. Roaming is seamless, with users able to go anywhere and talk to anyone, no matter where they are in the state. These sites will provide portable and in many cases in-building coverage that local agencies can start to use as the backbone of their land mobile radio system requirements.
Advanced Features
Text messaging, Over-the-air Programming, GPS Location and encryption are all supported on ISICS to provide your users with the critical information they need in the moments that matter.
Affordability
ISICS provides an immediate, affordable means of providing the public safety and public service solutions every municipality, county and government agency in Iowa needs. By sharing a common statewide infrastructure with other agencies, you avoid millions of dollars in network implementation costs. Deployment costs are minimal, and as an ISICS member, you can take advantage of pre-negotiated contracts to purchase radios and other equipment you may need at significantly lower prices.
Local Control
Becoming an ISICS member doesn't mean your control over your system will be compromised. The system is designed to encompass separate talk groups so each user agency is assured of local control and total security. How you want to administer and operate your services is entirely up to you. Motorola Solutions will also work closely with each subscriber to ensure the system will meet your agency's specialized communication needs.
Spectrum Efficiency
Because radio frequency spectrum is a valuable and limited resource, Motorola Solutions has designed the ISICS system's frequency plan to take maximum advantage of the 700 and 800 MHz frequencies available to public safety agencies.
Consistent Audio Quality
ISICS uses Motorola Solutions ASTRO 25 digital two-way radios that consistently deliver exceptional signal integrity for clear, easy-to-understand audio, even at the edges of your coverage area.
Advanced Security
ISICS is designed to provide the communications privacy and security capabilities needed by public safety agencies through the use of enhanced encryption technologies.
Flexible Migration
A critical component of ISICS is technological flexibility, with the goal of never inhibiting first responders from performing quickly and efficiently because of aging communications technology. The system includes continuous technology upgrades and a planned migration path for incorporating future technological advances.
Round-The-Clock Support
Motorola Solutions leverages our network, equipment knowledge and radio expertise and leadership to provide 24x7, 365-day support to ensure mission-critical availability.
Remain At the Forefront of Safety Technology
Motorola Solutions does not stop innovating to equip your first responders with the latest in safety technology to help them protect themselves and those they serve. Here, you will find every connecting element you need to ensure seamless interoperability: mission critical mobile and portable radios, dispatch equipment and PremierOne, the unified platform that provides a single, real-time operational view. These products are available on the ISICS Platform.
Motorola Solutions APX Portable Radios
Motorola Solutions APX Mobile Radios