SouthernLINC Wireless Announces Availability of Intrinsically Safe Mot

SouthernLINC Wireless Announces Availability of Intrinsically Safe Motorola i325 IS Phone with LINCaround

    Business Editors

    ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2005--

Phone Designed to Withstand Hazardous Atmospheres and Allows for Off-Network Communication
    SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), today announced the availability of the Motorola i325 IS phone featuring LINCaround(TM), which allows off-network two-way private and group communication between users up to 6 miles apart, depending on terrain."
    The i325 IS is a rugged, multi-functional phone that meets military specifications for dust, shock, vibration, high/low temperatures and pressure, solar radiation, humidity, and salt fog. The i325 IS phone is also water resistant. The phone is agency-certified as intrinsically safe, which means the Motorola i325 IS has been designed for use in hazardous classified atmospheres, and meets the applicable intrinsically safe standards by Factory Mutual, an accredited, Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL).
    "With LINCaround, our customers can manually transfer to a two-way radio-to-radio communication mode, ensuring reliable communications even outside of the network coverage area," said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless. "Plus, the unique capabilities of the i325 IS will appeal to our industrial customers that operate in hazardous environments, targeted for sectors such as public safety, manufacturing and construction."
    The phone offers advanced feature capability which includes a host of tools to facilitate communications among groups such as MSTG (Multi-Simultaneous Talk-Group), ISO (Isolated Site Operation), emergency group call, and status messaging. Durability features include a rubber overmold, a sealed bottom connector cover to protect from liquid or dust damage, and a fixed antenna.
    Additionally, the Motorola i325 IS phone offers all of the features associated with Motorola's iDEN(R) technology including InstantLINC(SM) Mobile to Mobile, cellular phone service, text messaging and data access.

    About SouthernLINC Wireless

    SouthernLINC Wireless covers 127,000 square miles in the Southeast, including major metro and rural areas in Alabama, Georgia, southeastern Mississippi and northwest Florida. Using Motorola's iDEN(R) technology, SouthernLINC Wireless combines multiple communication services into one phone or installed device including Instant InstantLINC(SM) Mobile to Mobile, cellular phone service, text messaging, wireless Internet access and wireless data. More information about SouthernLINC Wireless can be obtained by calling 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visiting the SouthernLINC Wireless Web site at www.southernlinc.com.

    About Southern Company

    With 4 million customers and nearly 39,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier super-regional energy company in the Southeast and a leading U.S. producer of electricity. Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, a growing competitive generation company, an energy services business and a competitive retail natural gas business, 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 15 percent below the national average. Southern Company has been named three consecutive years No. 1 on Fortune magazine's "America's Most Admired Companies" list in the Electric and Gas Utility industry. Southern Company has been ranked the nation's top energy utility in the American Customer Satisfaction Index four years in a row, and in the latest survey tied for the highest score among all service industry companies. Southern Company has more than 500,000 shareholders, making its common stock one of the most widely held in the United States. Visit the Southern Company Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

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CONTACT: SouthernLINC Wireless Media Contacts Rae Howard, 678/443-1525 x2rhowar@southernco.com or Edelman John Moore, 404/262-3000 john.moore@edelman.com

KEYWORD: GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING SOURCE: SouthernLINC Wireless

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