The time to start MCPTT is now
The latest news coming out of CCW 2026 is reinforcing New Zealand’s 2022 decision to build a nationwide P25 radio network as part of the Public Safety Network.
That decision looks stronger with time.
The choice was sometimes framed as old technology versus new technology.
But the current industry messaging is about interworking, migration and operational continuity. The focus is on connecting established narrowband systems with broadband services, rather than replacing them overnight.
The 2022 question was whether MCPTT and wider MCX capability were mature enough to replace ageing emergency services radio networks as the primary national voice service and network of last resort.
In 2022, that would have carried significant operational risk for emergency services.
Even in 2026, there are still challenges to resolve around cellular integration, LMR interworking, dispatch console integration, agency system integration, operational assurance, service management and end-to-end accountability.
The next question for New Zealand should be where MCPTT now fits within the PSN.
Starting MCPTT work now would build on the P25 decision. It would allow agencies to identify practical use cases and resolve the harder integration issues before P25 interworking becomes the main dependency.
That work will take time.
Cellular integration, dispatch console integration, agency system integration, operational assurance and service management all need careful design and testing.
Starting now would create a more informed path toward future P25-to-MCPTT interworking, once the new radio network is operational and agencies are ready to extend their voice model onto broadband.
The 2022 decision gave New Zealand a lower-risk path to a resilient national voice foundation.
The next step should be to start the practical work now: use cases, integration, assurance and accountability.
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Useful links:
www.linkedin.com/posts/andyfleet_mcx-tetra-esn-activity-7471090033127710720-Pa_T
