Not sure where you're getting your Phase II mandate info. A link to that tidbit would be appreciated
PSHSB Extends 700 MHz Narrowbanding Deadline for State of Louisiana | FCC.gov
There is one official reference for you to the deadlines.
Here is an quote from this -
Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission’s) 700 MHz narrowbanding deadline, which
requires licensees in the 700 MHz public safety narrowband spectrum (769-775/799-805 MHz) to operate
using a channel bandwidth of no more than 6.25 kilohertz, or equivalent efficiency, by December 31,
2016
Also see here
APCO Project 25 (P25) Radio Frequently Asked Questions « Tait Communications Blog
Quote from that- Q. Do I have to go to Phase 2 and what does this mean for Phase 1?
No, you don’t need to move to Phase 2 unless you are in the USA using the 700MHz band, in which case you must be Phase 2 operational by January 1, 2017.
Also see this:
http://www.bonnercom.org/sites/default/files/700/700_AreYouPrepared.pdf
There are also many other places on the net for this data.
And yes I mean all the forms of ISSI including CSSI and DSFI.. Not sure why I keep putting the R in there.
There are VIPER TG's assigned for both Buncombe County interop and primary use if they chose to use them, as well as for Asheville. Including UNC-A.
As for Asheville, and VIPER having to upgrade, that is a given as Motorola is discontinuing support for the Smart Zone systems. In fact they are pretty much doing away with the Legacy Systems period. Asheville has had so many plans to go to P25 that its sad, they first discussed doing this when they went to an multisite Smart Zone ASTRO 4.X system. They voted the purchase of digital radios for PD and FD back then. I was at that City Council meeting. They also brought up the plan of possibly making their system a VIPER site then. As I stated " Perhaps they will join the VIPER when it upgrades to P25 systemwide, or may upgrade their own system to an P25" Again the perhaps.
As for the encryption,
All new systems, and subscriber templates for public safety systems from Motorola have encryption turned on as standard features. It is up to the individual agencies to turn off the encryption on any given TG. BCSO has already made the choice to turn off encryption for dispatch, or you would not hear it now.