STARCOM21 is best described as which type of system?

• A. A nationwide satellite data service for EMS.
• B. A 700/800 MHz digital trunked statewide voice radio communications network.
• C. A regional medical information system for EMS data sharing.
• D. A portable hand-held radio channel for local bases.

Answer: (B)

STARCOM21 is a statewide public-safety radio network that operates in the 700/800 MHz band and uses digital trunking to carry voice traffic. The digital part means audio is transmitted with modern encoding for clarity and efficiency; trunking means multiple agencies share a pool of frequencies and a central controller assigns channels on demand, so many users can talk without dedicating a separate frequency for each. “Statewide” indicates it covers the entire state to support interagency communication and mutual aid, rather than being limited to a single site or only data transmission. Its primary purpose is real-time voice communication among EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety entities, not satellite data services, EMS data sharing systems, or a single handheld channel.