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SouthernLINC Wireless Offers Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Meteorological forecasters predict very active hurricane season

ATLANTA – May 31, 2007 – In preparation for the 2007 hurricane season, SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is providing safety tips for its customers and employees throughout the Southeast.

Forecasters are predicting 17 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30.  Nine of the 17 storms are predicted to become hurricanes, and of those nine, five are expected to develop into intense or major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

“One of the most important steps to take when preparing for hurricane season is to develop a plan well in advance,” said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless. “At SouthernLINC Wireless, we are actively ramping up our hurricane response plans to ensure the company will be able to address emergencies in the most effective manner possible. Our network is built to utility-grade specifications, including reinforced cell sites built to withstand winds up to 120 mph.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers helpful tips to prepare for hurricane season:

• Assemble an emergency supplies kit with items such as potable water, canned food, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, first aid and essential medications. Be sure to include extra batteries including cell phone batteries. 
• Keep important documents such as insurance policies, social security cards, and bank account information in a waterproof container.
• Post emergency phone numbers by each phone and teach children how and when to call 911.
• If an evacuation proves to be necessary, cell phone users can call 511 for real-time traffic and evacuation route updates in your area.
• Learn to use alternate methods of communication during an emergency, such as Push to Talk or text messaging. Both provide a way to let loved ones know quickly that you and your family are okay.  
• Monitor official weather bulletins on the radio or television.
• Identify ahead of time where you would go if you are told to evacuate and consider how your household would stay in contact if you were separated.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level of your home.
• Close storm shutters and secure yard items such as patio furniture.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting to keep food fresh for as long as possible.    

Additional hurricane safety tips are posted on the SouthernLINC Wireless Web site at www.southernlinc.com/hurricane.

About SouthernLINC Wireless
SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier covering the major metro and rural areas in Alabama, Georgia, southeastern Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless bundles multiple communication options into one phone including push to talk, cellular 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 4.3 million customers and more than 41,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America’s fastest-growing regions. 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 significantly below the national average. Southern Company has received the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among U.S. electric service providers for seven consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.