P25 Phase 1 & Phase 2 Trunked Network Solutions for Mining

Mining needs secure, scalable, low-latency voice and data across wide, harsh sites. MiningTelecoms designs and delivers P25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 trunked networks — from new deployments to upgrades — using TN9400-based architectures, TB9400 simulcast capable base stations, and proven migration strategies for operational continuity, spectrum efficiency and mission-critical resilience.

Why choose P25 for mining?

  • Spectral efficiency & capacity: P25 Phase 2 TDMA provides two logical channels per 12.5 kHz physical traffic channel — effectively doubling voice capacity per channel vs Phase 1 FDMA. This is ideal for large mine fleets and growing voice demand.

  • Better simulcast performance: Phase 2’s H-DQPSK modulation and LSM options improve simulcast performance and spectrum efficiency across wide pits and haul corridors; TB9400 base stations are purpose-built for this.

  • Mission-critical reliability: TN9400 supports HA clusters, site and RFSS redundancy, fail-soft and site trunking so operations continue even under hardware/link failure.

  • Secure & standards-based: End-to-end encryption, OTAR/OTAP, centralized key management and P25 CAP validation for multi-vendor operation and mutual-aid interoperability.

Our offering — design through support

Mining Specific Two Way Radios BHP RioTinto Whitehaven, DMR Tier 3.

What MiningTelecoms delivers:

  • Site survey & RF planning for open pits, underground portals, haul roads and camps — coverage maps, delay-spread & simulcast design. (We use Tait’s LSM and simulcast guidance for wide area coverage planning.)
  • Reference architecture & core deployment — TN9400 RFSS and site controllers, TB9400 base stations, IP backbone design with QoS for RTP and control signalling. TN9400 is the core P25 controller platform for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
  • Timing and simulcast — design and supply GPS-disciplined 1PPS + 10 MHz reference and NTP (Spectracom SecureSync recommended) to meet Phase 2 timing requirements and prevent reversion to Phase 1.
  • Migration & cutover planning — phased or big-bang migration templates, TB9400/TB7300/TB9100 guidance, TN9400 software licensing, and fallback strategies so critical comms remain live during the transition.
  • Interoperability & gateways — TN9500 inter-network gateway for bridging legacy analog/DMR/MPT networks during migration and multi-agency interconnect.
  • Dispatch, AVL & analytics — CSSI/CSSI console integration, voice recording solutions (Eventide/Exacom) and fleet management tools (EnableFleet/EnableMonitor).
  • Testing, training & O&M — acceptance test scripts, dispatcher & field user training, and managed services with SLAs.
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Key features & benefits (at a glance)

Phase 1 & Phase 2 support: deploy Phase 1 now and upgrade to Phase 2 later — TN9400 supports both and Phase 2 is upgradeable.

Twice the voice capacity (Phase 2): TDMA gives two logical traffic channels per physical channel, improving capacity without extra RF.

Simulcast & coverage: TB9400 + LSM/H-DQPSK deliver wide area simulcast with fewer sites.

Strict timing for Phase 2: 1PPS + frequency reference + NTP required; recommended redundancy and Spectracom SecureSync.

Scalable core: TN9400 capacities (examples: up to 250 sites/RFSS, 200k SU IDs, 60k talkgroups, 1,000 active audio connections).

Secure & manageable: centralized AAA, encrypted voice & data, OTAR and KMF key management.

DMR Tier 3 Coal Mine 960x640

Migration: Phase 1 → Phase 2 — low-risk upgrade path

Tait Tough Two Way Radios

We’ll design a migration plan based on Tait’s recommended approach:

  • Pre-migration audit: identify TB9100/TB7300/TB9400 mix, console compatibilities and talkgroup profiles. TB9100 is not Phase-2 capable for traffic channels; TB9400 is recommended for Phase-2 traffic channels.

  • Timing & backhaul readiness: add GPS/1PPS/10MHz/NTP where needed; confirm IP backbone meets latency/jitter/QoS needs (Tait’s backhaul guidance & per-channel bandwidth planning).

  • Software & licenses: upgrade TN9400 controllers to Phase-2 capable releases and load Phase-2/Simulcast feature licenses; TB9400 firmware & Phase-2 licenses where applicable.

  • Phased migration: allocate Phase-2 capable radios/talkgroups first, monitor Fleet Manager for Phase-2 affiliation, progressively convert sites/talkgroups to Phase-2 while keeping legacy Phase-1 radios supported.

  • Fallback & acceptance: test failsoft, site trunking, and reversion scenarios to ensure operations if timing or transport fails.

Typical technical footprint (example)

  • Core: Tait TN9400 RFSS cluster (HA) hosting Fleet Manager, DB, PSTN gateway, EnableMonitor/EnableFleet.

  • Site controllers: TN9400 site controller at each site (clustered for HA where required).

  • Base stations: TB9400 (Phase-2 capable) at traffic channels, TB7300 for Phase-1-only sites. All base stations in a simulcast channel group must be of same type.

  • Timing: GPS-disciplined 1PPS + 10 MHz ref + Stratum-1 NTP (Spectracom SecureSync recommended) with redundancy.

  • IP Backbone: dedicated IP backbone (microwave/leased fibre/E1/T1) with QoS (RTP/SIP), recommended per-channel bandwidth and jitter planning.

  • Gateway: TN9500 Inter-Network Gateway for interoperability and analog→digital migration.

Tait IP Back Bone image

Why Mine Sites Choose MiningTelecoms

MiningTelecoms doesn’t just sell radios — we design, program and support mine-ready mission critical communications systems built for reliability, safety, coverage with 24/7 NOC support.
We supply and support mining communications Australia-wide.

  • Australia-wide supply & support — radios delivered programmed and ready for site use, with NOC 24/7 monitoring and extended warranties. 
  • Mining-grade programming — dual slot channel configuration, talkgroups, OTAP, emergency alerts, GPS, base station single and multi-site design with high availability options.
  • Compliance & licensing guidance — frequency assignment and multi-level technical support.
  • Vehicle & handheld antenna solutions — correct antennas, mounting and audio accessories.
  • Scalable systems — repeaters, trunked networks (DMR Tier III / P25), site-wide coverage design.
  • Hazardous-area expertise — intrinsically safe (IS/Ex) radio selection and deployment.
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FAQ

P25 Phase 2 – Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the advantage of P25 Phase 2?

Phase 2 doubles voice capacity per RF channel using TDMA, improving spectrum efficiency and allowing more talkpaths without additional frequencies. It’s ideal for high-traffic mining and public safety networks.

Can we reuse base stations and RF site hardware?

Often, yes. Many antennas, combiners, towers and shelters can be reused. However, Phase 2 compatibility depends on the platform — some legacy equipment may only support Phase 1 traffic channels or may only be suitable for control channel functions.

Does Phase 2 require more backhaul bandwidth?

Not necessarily. Although Phase 2 enables two voice streams per RF channel, the half-rate vocoder and packet timing often keep bandwidth similar to Phase 1. You should still plan for QoS, low jitter and latency budgets.

What is the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2?

Phase 1 uses FDMA (one voice call per channel). Phase 2 uses TDMA (two voice calls per channel). This effectively doubles capacity and is preferred when spectrum is limited or talkgroup traffic is heavy.

Will Phase 2 work with existing subscriber radios?

Only if your handhelds and vehicle radios support Phase 2 TDMA. Older Phase 1-only radios will still function on Phase 1 talkgroups but cannot participate in Phase 2 traffic channels.

Does Phase 2 improve coverage or range?

Coverage is mainly determined by RF site design and antenna placement. Phase 2 is a capacity improvement, not a range improvement. However, reduced congestion can make overall network performance feel more reliable.

Is Phase 2 required for mining operations?

Not always — but mines with high radio traffic, multiple contractors, or large fleets often benefit from Phase 2 due to improved capacity, clearer dispatching and better talkgroup availability.

Can MiningTelecoms design and deploy a Phase 2 network?

Yes. We provide end-to-end P25 system design, coverage modelling, deployment, programming, encryption support (where approved), and ongoing maintenance for mine site networks across Australia.

Contact us

  • Ready to design or upgrade to P25 Phase 1/Phase 2?
    Book a technical scoping meeting with our P25 specialists.
    Phone: 1800 551 427

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