State Paging Service
The statewide paging service provided by the Georgia Technology Authority will be permanently discontinued on September 30, 2008.
To prepare for the shutdown, we are no longer accepting new paging customers. We are continuing to support current customers and are providing them with information about alternative paging services available from commercial providers under state contracts.
There is substantial risk in continuing to operate the statewide paging service, which is the only one of its kind in the nation. The service began in 1992 when cellular use was not yet common and paging services were not widely available in the marketplace. Since then, the state’s paging service equipment has become obsolete. It is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and replacement parts are increasingly difficult to find.
Because of these issues and the widespread growth of commercial wireless services across the state, GTA will permanently shut down its paging system in three phases.
Three-phase shutdown
Phase One (completed July 1, 2008)
This phase will affect users in the following counties and surrounding areas. Users should expect minimal impact, which may include loss of indoor coverage.
Oglethorpe, Screven and Upson
Phase Two (to be completed August 15, 2008)
This phase will affect users in the following counties and surrounding areas. Users should expect loss of indoor coverage and some loss of outdoor coverage.
Camden, Decatur, Early, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Lincoln, McIntosh, Toombs and Walton
Phase Three (to be completed September 30, 2008)
This phase will affect all users. On this date, the paging service will completely cease operating.
Finding a new paging service
Customers are responsible for arranging their own replacement service. We encourage customers to begin looking for alternative service providers as soon as possible to avoid any possibility of a service interruption. Customers may obtain services from the provider of their choice, but several providers offer services under state contracts.
What to do with your state-issued pager
After switching to a new service provider, customers should turn in state-issued pagers to their GTA Regional Office.
Have questions?
Customers who have questions are encouraged to call their Account Manager or local GTA Regional Office.