New Jersey Interoperability Communication System (P25)
NJICS-P25 FAQs
Q: What is NJICS?
A: NJICS is a statewide 7/800 MHz P25 land mobile radio system designed to provide fast and secure communications between local, state, and federal agencies when protecting the public's welfare. NJICS is deployed statewide to improve interoperable communications capabilities among first responders. It is engineered to provide 95% in-street coverage through either hand-held radios or from mobile-mounted radios.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for a radio to work on the NJICS?
A: Portable and mobile radios must contain the following minimum feature set to be operational on the network:
- SMARTZONE OPERATION
- P25 9600 BAUD TRUNKING
- ASTRO DIGITAL OPERATION
- TDMA OPERATION
Q: How are service levels defined?
A: Each service level provides the geographic coverage as described below:
- Level 1 provides statewide coverage for interoperable talkgroups only. Agency specific talkgroups are not included.
- Level 2 provides statewide coverage for interoperable talkgroups and local coverage for agency specific talkgroups. Local coverage is roughly county-wide.
- Level 3 provides statewide coverage for interoperable talkgroups and regional coverage for agency specific talkgroups. Regional coverage may consist of several counties.
- Level 4 provides statewide coverage for both interoperable talkgroups and agency specific talkgroups.
| Service Level | ||||
| System Features | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 |
| Defined Coverage Area Provided | Statewide | Local | Regional | Statewide |
| Subscriber Base Fee: Mobile, Portable, Control Station | $0 | $45 | $125 | $265 |
| Dispatch Center Direct Console Access | None | Available | Available | Available |
| Statewide Interoperability Talkgroups | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Agency Specific System Talkgroups | None | 2 | 2 | As Authorized |
| Mutual Aid Talk Groups | As Authorized | As Authorized | As Authorized | As Authorized |
| Additional Agency Specific Talk Groups | None | $20/TG | $20/TG | As Authorized |
Q: What on earth is a talkgroup, anyway?
A: A talkgroup is a configurable, pre-programmed, voice pathway in the radio system by which properly programmed radios can communicate with each other, sometimes referred to as a channel. A talkgroup differs from a conventional channel in that it is not assigned a static radio frequency.
Q: What interoperable talkgroups are available to all NJICS users with proper authorization?
A: The following interoperability talkgroups are available for programming with proper authorization:
| STATEWIDE | REGIONAL | HIGHWAY NORTH | HIGHWAY SOUTH |
| STATE CALL 1 | UASI 1 | HW INT I-80 | HW INT I-295 |
| STATECOM 2 | UASI 2 | HW INT I-280 | HW INT RT 72 |
| STATECOM 3 | UASI 3 | HW INT I-78 | HW INT 47/347 |
| STATECOM 4 | UASI 4 | HW INT I-287 | HW ACE |
| STATECOM 5 | UASI 5 | HW INT I-195 | HW INT I-195 |
| STATECOM 6 | UASI 6 | HW INT I-295 | HW INT GSP 98S |
| STATECOM 7 | SHORE 1 | HW INT GSP 98N | HW INT TP/I-95 |
| STATECOM 8 | SHORE 2 | HW INT TP/I-95 | HW INT NJTP S |
| STATECOM 9 | SHORE 3 | HW INT CMD N | HW INT RT 55 |
| STATECOM 10 | SHORE 4 | HW INT OPS 1 N | HW INT 42/I-676 |
| STATECOM 11 | DEL-RIV 1 | HW INT OPS 2 N | HW INT CMD S |
| STATECOM 12 | DEL-RIV 2 | HW INT OPS 3 N | HW INT OPS 1 S |
| STATECOM 13 | DEL-RIV 3 | HW OPS 2 S | |
| STATECOM 14 | NO-WEST 1 | HW INT OPS 3 S | |
| STATECOM 15 | NO-WEST 2 | ||
| REGROUP | NO-WEST 3 |
Q: How can I request use of an Interoperability Talkgroup for a planned event?
A: STATECOM talkgroups are coordinated by NJSP Call Center: 609-963-6900 ext. 7833.
Regional talkgroups are coordinated by NJ’s Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC),
Will Mosley: preferred contact - 609-575-2766,
secondary - William.Mosley@tech.nj.gov.
Highway talkgroups are meant to provide interoperability as necessary as events develop on state highways.
Q: What is the process for an agency to join NJICS?
A: NJICS onboarding process is outlined below:
- Determine your own need to join NJICS. NJICS or your vendor may be able to provide test radios to determine whether the system works sufficiently in your intended areas.
- Contact your radio service provider to assist with purchasing and programming radios.
- Retrieve an application from Application/Documents tab of this web site. Return your completed application to NJICS-P25@njsp.gov. The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Radio Administration & Maintenance team will review the application.
- If approved, NJSP Radio Administration & Maintenance team will draft an agreement for your agency to join NJICS. The agreement must be signed by the user agency, and then returned to NJICS-P25@njsp.gov for NJSP Superintendent’s & NJ Attorney General’s signatures.
- Once the agreement is fully executed, the user agency’s new talkgroups will be built into the NJICS, IDs will be assigned for all subscriber radios, a codeplug template will be developed, and a system key will be programmed to allow the agency or its vendor to program the radios.
Q: How long does it take to join the NJICS?
A: The entire process can take from several months up to a year or even longer. Best practice for the fastest possible experience is to educate yourself – review this web site in its entirety. Contact NJICS-P25@njsp.gov with any questions. Ensure your radio service provider has the expertise and ability to assist with the transition to NJICS.
Q: If my agency works closely with another agency, can the other agency program our talkgroups into their radios for mutual aid purposes?
A: Yes, with proper authorization. You would need to provide a letter to the other agency on official letterhead stating the specific talkgroup(s) you authorize them to program into their radios. Send a copy of the authorization letter to NJICS-P25@njsp.gov.
Likewise, the other agency would need to provide you with a similar authorization letter if you intend to program their talkgroup(s) into your radios.
A sample reciprocal authorization letter template can be found in the Application/Documents tab of this web site.
Q: What is a system key?
A: The NJICS radios require a programming system key for security purposes. System keys will have an expiration of 12 months or less and will be permitted on radio models that can limit the local agency’s ability to program only those features authorized in order to maintain system security. System keys are specific to different radio manufacturers and are owned by NJICS. The NJICS will provide the manufacturer’s system key for the NJICS system to the user agency or service provider. The user agency may be required to obtain the manufacturer’s physical dongle used by NJICS to create the system key. The user agency or service provider is responsible for the security of the system key. The system key may only be used to program radios using templates approved by NJICS. The system key will be returned to NJICS immediately upon request.
Q: Wait, so a system key is not for encryption?
A: Nope, an encryption key is a separate entity. NJICS supports encryption. However, the user agency is responsible for obtaining, managing, and maintaining its own encryption key. NJICS does not maintain encryption keys nor encryption key files for user agencies.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: NJSP Radio Administration & Maintenance team can be reached by emailing NJICS-P25@njsp.gov.
