Georgia State Patrol Transition to MCPTT Communication

This technical report outlines the Georgia State Patrol's transition from traditional VHF land mobile radio (LMR) systems to Southern Linc's LTE system with Mission-Critical Push-To-Talk (MCPTT). The shift is aimed at enhancing communication reliability during emergency situations, as highlighted by Captain Brian Screws, Chief Information Officer for the agency. The report details the challenges faced during extreme weather events, which exposed the limitations of the VHF system, prompting the need for a more dependable communication alternative. The integration of L3Harris' XL series devices with the MCPTT service has enabled seamless communication across the state, providing enhanced capabilities such as high-bandwidth data sharing and interoperability among various agencies. The report also discusses the cost efficiency of the new system, which allows for a transition from capital expenditure to operational expenditure models. The successful implementation of this communication strategy serves as a model for other agencies considering similar upgrades.