SouthernLINC Wireless Plans to Build New Cell Sites to Improve iDEN Network Coverage

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SouthernLINC Wireless plans to add 29 new cell sites to the company's regional wireless network during 2012.  This multi-million dollar investment in coverage for the company's iDEN network will improve network performance for major customers including Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power and Mississippi Power as well as for commercial and government customers in the Southeast.  Similar network enhancements are planned for 2013 and beyond as well.

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"With all of the talk about iDEN Push To Talk technology going away, we want our customers and the communities we serve to understand that we are committed to delivering high quality, iDEN-based wireless communications, and we'll be here for them today and tomorrow," stated Don Horsley, president and CEO.  "We are staying with what we think is the best PTT out there—iDEN PTT," he continued.

SouthernLINC Wireless launched its iDEN service in 1996.  Since then, the company has continued to invest in the network, adding cell sites, upgrading software and hardware and introducing new end-user devices each year.  Now, more than 800 cell towers strong, SouthernLINC Wireless remains committed to the iDEN technology, considering it to be the premier Push to Talk technology available today, meeting the critical field communication needs of Southern Company's electric utilities.

SouthernLINC Wireless vice president of sales Rodney Johnson reported, "Southern Company's electric utilities have more than 32,000 devices deployed on our iDEN network using PTT, cell, text, wireless and fixed data services.  We know they will continue to rely on our network to meet their communication and data needs now and into the future."

In addition to cell site enhancements to the wireless network, SouthernLINC Wireless was the first iDEN carrier in the world to install a Digital iDEN Gateway.  Installed in June, the Digital iDEN Gateway supports the Dispatch Messenger product, which allows Push to Talk communications between a PC and co-workers using SouthernLINC Wireless phones across the SouthernLINC Wireless Regional Service Area.  The Digital iDEN Gateway also positions SouthernLINC to be able to offer new types of Push To Talk services in the future.

About SouthernLINC Wireless
SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier with network coverage in the major metro and rural areas of Alabama, Georgia, southeast Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless combines multiple communication options, including Push To Talk two-way radio (PTT), cellular service, wireless Internet access, wireless data, and text and picture messaging, into one hand-held device. In addition to regional network coverage, the company offers nationwide access through roaming agreements for cellular, PTT, data, and text and picture messaging services in more than 540 cities throughout the U.S. For more information, please call 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visit www.southernlinc.com.

About Southern Company
With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company was named the World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility by Fortune magazine in 2011, and is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE SouthernLINC Wireless