The main challenge facing the PNP was that the analog system was out-of-date and had already exceeded its expected lifespan. One major handicap was that the analog radio technology could not be interconnected with other systems. It also lacked adequate security features such as end-to-end encryption services.

The analog technology had become outmoded, as it was no longer supported by the original manufacturer, which made it very difficult to get hold of spare parts. This was becoming an increasing problem, as the network was experiencing frequent outages due to wear and tear on the aging equipment. Some terminals were already beyond further use, as it no longer made economic sense to repair them.  

The old radio system was also not able to support value-added services or data such as text messaging, monitoring of radio users through GPS location services, automatic vehicle/personnel tracking, and queries on suspects, vehicles, and missing persons/properties on a real-time basis, which are all available on modern digital radio systems.

The PNP also had far too few radios to meet its requirements. The entire PNP only had access to a total of about 18,000 radios, but according to PNP officials, the minimum number of radios required to support the force is more than 61,000, including both handheld and mobile radios. 

In addition, the police needed a sufficient number of base stations and repeaters to provide adequate coverage for the 14 police regional offices (PROs) and national headquarters (NHQ), and 85 police provincial offices (PPOs). 

The PNP clearly needed a new digital radio communication system capable of supporting nationwide radio coverage and the ability to provide value-added services.

The chosen solution was a DMR Tier 2 and Tier 3 trunking system supplied by Hytera. It was calculated that the minimum number of handheld radios required was about 50% of the total number of actual patrol personnel, plus those personnel holding key positions. It was determined that all stations must have a base radio and one mobile radio should be fitted per PNP-owned vehicle (excluding motorcycles).

In Phase 1, Hytera delivered over 14,300 radios and set up the first 15 trunking sites and 14 repeaters. In Phase 2, Hytera delivered a further 6,500 radios and 85 repeaters. By Phase 4 (2019), 7,200 more radios had been added to the PNP fleet for city police stations and most of the regional offices are now interconnected into the trunking system. 

As the PNP was satisfied with how the first four phases of the project had gone, it placed more purchasing orders with Hytera to further expand and enhance its coverage across the entire Philippines. 

During 2020-2021, the PNP enhanced its network in Metro Manila with the purchase of two 4-carrier base stations, which were deployed at two sites. In 2022, it purchased another 5,500 terminals for distribution to 15 Police Regional Offices (PROs) and 24 National Support Units (NSUs). In 2023, it ordered 370 new mobile radios from Hytera to be distributed across 17 Police Regional Offices (PROs).

Hytera also provided its SmartOne Dispatch System, a new generation unified communication platform, which enables multi-system intercommunication and unified dispatching to deliver unlimited communication possibilities to the PNP. 

The Hytera Dispatch Work Stations allow dispatchers to see where police assets are located on a map in real-time and to dispatch orders or communicate with them via touchscreen icons. It is now much easier for control rooms to dispatch the most appropriate resources and more efficiently coordinate and manage the response to any given incident.

The SmartOne Dispatch System is equipped with a Digital Voice Recording System that records all voice, text, and data transmissions and logs them securely on the system. Any transmission can then be easily located and played back when required for post-incident analysis, courtroom evidence or training purposes.