Short Answer
POLYCOM is the national security radio network of Switzerland and is used by authorities and organizations for rescue and safety. This includes, among others, police, fire departments, emergency services, civil protection, and further operational organizations. Technically, POLYCOM has historically been connected to TETRAPOL and serves robust voice communication for closed user groups. For companies, POLYCOM is usually not directly available but is important for projects related to authorities, site radio, building radio, critical infrastructure, or interoperability.
Many inquiries about POLYCOM mix three things: the Swiss security radio network, the technical standard TETRAPOL, and the former Polycom brand for conference and IP phones. In the Radio World, POLYCOM refers to the Swiss operational and security radio network.
What does BORS mean?
BORS stands for authorities and organizations for rescue and safety in Switzerland. This typically includes police, fire departments, emergency services, civil protection, and other organizations that need to communicate in a coordinated manner during incidents, emergencies, or operations.
The term is important because POLYCOM is not a regular commercial radio network. It is aimed at closed, authorized user groups in the security and rescue environment.
How does POLYCOM work?
POLYCOM is a professional trunked radio system. Users do not simply work with freely chosen channels but with organized talk groups, network structures, permissions, and operational processes. This allows different organizations to communicate with each other within defined rules.
In practice, not only radios are crucial but also base stations, locations, network operation, device management, control center integration, redundancy, maintenance, and clear organizational directives.
Which frequencies does POLYCOM use?
POLYCOM is often publicly assigned to the UHF range around 380 to 400 MHz. However, one cannot derive any personal frequency use from this for specific projects. The use of security radio, frequencies, locations, and end devices is regulated and falls under the responsibility of the competent authorities and operators.
When a building, tunnel, area, or critical infrastructure related to POLYCOM is planned, requirements, responsibilities, site radio, building radio, and interfaces must be clarified early on.
What does this mean for Motcom customers?
| Question | Classification |
|---|---|
| Can a company simply use POLYCOM? | Normally no. POLYCOM is a security radio network for authorized organizations. |
| When is POLYCOM still relevant? | For buildings, critical infrastructure, authority reference, site radio, operational communication, and interoperability. |
| Is POLYCOM the same as TETRA? | No. POLYCOM is the Swiss security radio network; TETRA and TETRAPOL are technical system worlds. |
| Is Polycom an IP phone? | The name can be confused with the former Polycom telephony and conference technology. This is not the same as POLYCOM as the Swiss security radio network. |
What advantages does POLYCOM offer?
- Secure communication for authorized operational organizations.
- Group communication for coordinated operations.
- More unified communication between organizations than many separate individual solutions.
- Integration into defined management and operational processes.
- Relevance for security communication, incident management, and critical infrastructure.
FAQ
What does POLYCOM mean?
POLYCOM refers to the national security radio network for authorities and organizations for rescue and safety in Switzerland. The name is often used colloquially as a proper name for the network.
What is POLYCOM in Switzerland?
POLYCOM is the Swiss security radio network for authorized operational and safety organizations such as police, fire, rescue, and civil protection.
How does POLYCOM work?
POLYCOM operates as a professional trunked radio system with talk groups, network structure, permissions, end devices, base stations, and defined operational processes.
Which frequencies does POLYCOM use in Switzerland?
POLYCOM is often publicly assigned to the UHF range around 380 to 400 MHz. Specific use, locations, and permissions must be clarified with the relevant authorities.
What does BORS mean?
BORS stands for authorities and organizations for rescue and safety, such as police, fire service, emergency medical services, and civil protection.
Is POLYCOM an IP phone?
No. POLYCOM as the Swiss security radio network is not the same as Polycom or Poly as a brand for telephony and conferencing technology.
Is POLYCOM the same as TETRAPOL?
No. POLYCOM is the Swiss security radio network. TETRAPOL is the technical system world with which POLYCOM is historically connected.
Can Motcom assist in POLYCOM-related projects?
Motcom can assist with the classification of site radio, building radio, commercial radio, interfaces, radio measurement, and communication concepts. Responsibilities and approvals lie with the relevant authorities and operators.
Sources and Currency
This page was created on 06.07.2026. Technical and regulatory information must be checked against current manufacturer data, standards, frequency specifications, and location conditions for specific projects.