Southern Linc and Georgia State Agencies Celebrate Interoperability Project with Ceremony at the Capitol

Rhea-AI Summary

Southern Company's (NYSE: SO) subsidiary Southern Linc has completed the Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project, marking a significant advancement in public safety communications. The project integrates multiple radio systems through Southern Linc's CriticalLinc™ LTE network, enabling seamless communication across Georgia's first responders and government agencies.

The initiative expands radio communications by thousands of miles and provides nationwide push-to-talk capabilities. The network serves as the primary communications resource for multiple state agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, Department of Homeland Security, and Emergency Management Agency, along with various local law enforcement departments.

Positive

• Integration of multiple radio systems enables seamless emergency response coordination
• Expanded coverage through LTE network with nationwide push-to-talk capabilities
• System has already proven effective during Hurricane Helene response

Negative

• None.

Southern Linc's interworking solution expands radio communications by thousands of miles and enables Georgia's public safety and emergency management agencies to support evolving events using a single handset

ATLANTA, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Linc, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), joined multiple State of Georgia agencies and Gov. Brian P. Kemp to celebrate completion of the Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project during a recent meeting at the Capitol. Gov. Kemp was commended for leading a statewide initiative to unify the disparate radio systems of first responders, law enforcement and government agencies, enabling them to operate as a cohesive unit and force multipliers in emergency situations.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of information sharing during critical incidents, and most importantly, it saves lives and increases efficiency. The Southern Linc solution has expanded Georgia's radio communications by thousands of miles, allowing departments to monitor and support evolving events seamlessly with a single handset. Beyond extensive Georgia coverage through Southern Linc's LTE network, users now benefit from nationwide push-to-talk communications. This enhanced connectivity has already proven invaluable in the response to Hurricane Helene and in previous interstate criminal pursuits.

"By further connecting state and local partners through this innovative project, we've strengthened our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises, deliver essential services and protect the well-being of Georgians across the state," said Gov. Kemp. "Through unified communication systems, we're bridging existing gaps, better enabling the hard work of first responders and law enforcement, and bringing about better outcomes for Georgians and their communities."

Southern Linc was chosen to integrate private radio networks across Georgia via their CriticalLinc™ LTE network. As a leader in LMR to LTE interoperability, Southern Linc integrated multiple radio systems using specially developed L3Harris radios and LMR-to-LTE radio network gateways with Catalyst Communication Technologies' interworking solutions. This new network of interoperable systems now serves as the primary communications resource for the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia's Department of Homeland Security and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, numerous local police, sheriff's and fire departments, along with city governments, have adopted the enhanced public safety network solution.

"This project represents a bold step forward in helping to ensure seamless, reliable and secure communication across our state and across the country, particularly during emergencies and critical operations. We are delighted to bring it to Georgia," stated Southern Linc President and CEO Bentina Terry.

The Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project exemplifies the power of partnership between the private sector and state and local governments. By leveraging Southern Linc's LTE network and its interworking capabilities, Georgia's public safety communications systems will improve operational efficiency and enhance the safety and resilience of communities across the state.

About Southern Linc
Southern Linc is a wireless communications company that is wholly owned by Southern Company. Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Southern Linc provides highly reliable, highly secure wireless voice and data services via their CriticalLinc 4G LTE Advanced network to Southern Company subsidiaries including its electric and gas utilities as well as to a wide range of businesses and public sector agencies across Alabama, Georgia, and southeastern Mississippi. The CriticalLinc LTE network provides over-the-air encryption from devices to towers and supports encryption from towers to the network's core data centers. This mission-critical network conveys a highly reliable suite of services that can support the most critical business processes. To learn more, visit www.southernlinc.com.

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SOURCE Southern Linc

FAQ

What is the Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project by Southern Company (NYSE: SO)?

It's a statewide initiative that unifies radio systems of first responders and government agencies through Southern Linc's CriticalLinc™ LTE network, enabling seamless communication across Georgia with nationwide push-to-talk capabilities.

Which Georgia state agencies are using Southern Company's new communications network?

The network serves the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Management Agency, and various local police, sheriff's and fire departments.

How has Southern Company's (NYSE: SO) interoperability system been tested in real emergencies?

The system has already proven valuable during the response to Hurricane Helene and in interstate criminal pursuits, demonstrating its effectiveness in emergency situations.

What technology does Southern Company use for the Georgia communications project?

Southern Linc uses its CriticalLinc™ LTE network, specially developed L3Harris radios, and LMR-to-LTE radio network gateways with Catalyst Communication Technologies' interworking solutions.