Kozhikode: Kerala Police are upgrading their communication system from analogue to digital as part of a state-wide modernisation initiative.

The first phase of the project is being rolled out in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts at a cost of ₹9.7 crore. The new system is based on DMR Tier-II technology.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) will be used for both law and order and traffic management, while in Ernakulam, it will initially support only the law and order wing.

The second phase of the project will extend to Kozhikode and Kannur, with ₹5 crore allocated for implementation.

The DMR Tier-II technology enables real-time communication, including the ability to send photos from incident sites to control rooms.

The trial operations have already begun at select locations in Thiruvananthapuram, including the District Collectorate, Technopark, Muttakkad, Police Headquarters, Vikas Bhavan, and Cantonment Police Station.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states to phase out analogue communication systems and shift to secure digital networks. Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) offers enhanced security, prevents message interference, and supports simultaneous multi-user transmissions.

The system allows control room personnel to block unwanted transmissions remotely. It functions similarly to mobile networks, allowing the creation of multiple user groups on a single network. However, the transition requires a greater number of communication towers.