Method for transcoder optimization for group dispatch calls

A method for minimizing the number of transcoders needed to support group calls includes a first step of receiving a request from a call initiator to initiate a group call with a plurality of call targets. Next, a listing of call initiator vocoders supported by the call initiator is received. Then, a call invitation is sent to each of a plurality of networks associated with the call targets. Network responses are received from each of the plurality of networks. The network responses comprise one or more network supported vocoders. The responses from all of the plurality of networks are collected. Then, the amount of transcoder needed to support the group call is optimized by minimizing the number of call initiator vocoders and network supported vocoder pairs.