Giant US electric utility goes P25

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), the United States’ third largest electric utility, has chosen a Harris P25 radio system to replace its legacy network.

FPL has 3000-plus field employees and supplies power to approximately 10 million people throughout Florida.

The P25 system will include Harris’ Symphony command centre dispatch consoles, XL-200P advanced digital handheld radios and the BeOn platform for integration of narrowband and broadband solutions.

“Harris and Florida Power & Light have a long history of working together and implementing cutting-edge solutions that benefit our customers throughout the state,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL.

“This represents an example of two major Florida companies working together to provide our residents with the best level of service and support possible.”

The P25 network will stretch across the 35 Florida counties the company serves and, for the first time, will enable it to communicate and coordinate efforts with first responders and other public safety teams during emergencies, particularly during the hurricane season.

“Florida Power & Light and Harris share a strong commitment to innovation and we are proud to partner with FPL to support millions of Floridians, including 6500 Harris employees who call Florida home,” said William M Brown, chairman, president and CEO, Harris Corporation.

“This initiative extends Harris’ legacy of providing advanced technology to the state’s utilities, first responders and other customers with mission-critical communications needs.”

The new system is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

Image courtesy FPL