....and there is zero reason why they couldn't use encryption on their existing system either.
But if there is an extra cost to upgrade Falls and St. Kitts to ENC then perhaps it's an easier sell to spend more money on brand new radios and join the 700Mhz system. Although in that article it says they have been notified by the vendor that parts and support for the current (new VHF p25 system) will not be available so maybe that is one way to get the customers to keep on spending.
Radio systems used to last 30 years, now 10 years but I have seen some contracts specifying 5-7 year lifespans so I guess the vendors are shortening the time frame of support and part supply to increase sales and they can do this, there's now law or regulation that says they have to support a line of products for any length of time.
This one lasted two years and ooops sorry, we no longer support that technology and can't supply parts anymore. It makes it an easy sell to taxpayers too, everyone has a smartphone or computer that after three years is out of date and not supported so when they hear that some radio technology is not supported after a few years it will seem like normal way of life these days.
The best way to force customers to upgrade and buy new is to cut of supply of parts, if they can't buy the parts they can't keep the old stuff alive.
