Southern Telecom and Seimitsu form SouthernWaves, secure deal with South Downtown Atlanta project

Rhea-AI Summary

Southern Company (NYSE:SO) subsidiary Southern Telecom has partnered with Seimitsu to form SouthernWaves, a strategic alliance focused on delivering fiber-optic network services across the Southeast. The collaboration marks Southern Telecom's expansion from dark fiber to lit services, with Seimitsu managing bandwidth on secure fiber routes.

The newly formed alliance has secured a significant deal with the South Downtown Atlanta project, which involves transforming 56 buildings across 10 continuous blocks into a second Atlanta Tech Village location. The project encompasses one million square feet and will leverage SouthernWaves' high-capacity infrastructure to support various essential services, including data transfer and emergency response coordination.

Positive

• Strategic partnership formed between Southern Telecom and Seimitsu to expand fiber-optic services
• Secured major contract with South Downtown Atlanta project covering 56 buildings
• Expansion from dark fiber to managed lit services with 24/7 network monitoring
• Partnership with Georgia Power strengthens service delivery capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecommunications Infrastructure Expert

Southern Company expands into managed fiber services through new SouthernWaves alliance, securing major downtown Atlanta development contract.

This strategic alliance between Southern Telecom (Southern Company's subsidiary) and Seimitsu marks a significant business model evolution for Southern Company's telecommunications division. Traditionally focused solely on providing dark fiber infrastructure that customers had to manage themselves, Southern is now expanding into higher-margin managed "lit" services through this partnership.

The technical implementation details reveal a thoughtful division of responsibilities: Southern Telecom contributes its extensive secure fiber routes while Seimitsu handles the illumination and bandwidth management through their Savannah-based Network Operations Center. This arrangement allows Southern to expand service offerings without needing to develop specialized operational expertise internally.

The South Downtown Atlanta project represents an immediate high-profile customer win for this new venture. This development spans 10 continuous blocks and 56 buildings, effectively creating a second Atlanta Tech Village location. Such dense technology-focused development requires substantial bandwidth and presents ongoing revenue opportunities as tenant needs grow.

Georgia Power's involvement adds another strategic dimension, as it enables Southern to leverage existing utility rights-of-way and infrastructure. This three-way collaboration creates a compelling competitive advantage through unique infrastructure access that typical telecommunications providers cannot match.

For Southern Company investors, this represents a forward-looking diversification that capitalizes on existing assets while expanding into higher-value services. The telecommunications infrastructure sector offers growth potential beyond Southern's traditional regulated utility business, potentially contributing to improved overall returns.

ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Telecom, a subsidiary of Southern Company, and Seimitsu, a Savannah-based leader in broadband networking solutions, have announced SouthernWaves, a strategic alliance poised to deliver fiber-optic network services across the Southeast.

"We are excited to announce the formation of SouthernWaves, a collaboration that brings together the robust network of Southern Telecom and the innovative expertise of Seimitsu," said Bentina Terry, president and CEO of Southern Telecom. "This represents a significant step forward in delivering state-of-the-art fiber-optic network services. By combining our strengths, we are setting a new standard for connectivity, security and reliability, providing our customers with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world."

Traditionally, Southern Telecom has been known for providing dark fiber services, which require customers to manage their own network equipment. SouthernWaves is introducing lit services, with Seimitsu responsible for illuminating and managing bandwidth on Southern Telecom's secure fiber routes, which are installed in highly secure conduits. With 24/7 network monitoring at a state-of-the-art Network Operations Center in Savannah, SouthernWaves stands ready to respond to virtually any threat. This framework helps to ensure superior security features and provides seamless, reliable connectivity for customers, enhancing their ability to focus on core business operations without the complexities of network management.

In collaboration with Georgia Power, SouthernWaves has secured an agreement to serve the South Downtown Atlanta project, a transformative initiative aimed at revitalizing this historic neighborhood by converting 56 buildings, 10 continuous blocks and one million square feet into a second location of Atlanta Tech Village.

"The partnership between Southern Telecom and Seimitsu brings together unmatched expertise and innovative solutions to transform Atlanta's connectivity landscape," Terry said. "By harnessing the power of fiber's faster, more reliable and durable capabilities, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for our city. This high-capacity infrastructure supports essential services, from data transfer and logistics technology to emergency response coordination, helping to ensure our community's safety and efficiency. Fiber will play a pivotal role in revitalizing our historic neighborhoods and paving the way for future growth. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Atlanta."

"Excitement reverberates across downtown among the signed leases, construction and openings," said Jon Birdsong, CEO at SoDo Atlanta, LLC, and one of the founding visionaries behind the South Downtown Atlanta project. "The partnership with SouthernWaves powers it all! SouthernWaves has brought creative thinking, quick action and speedy implementation to a very large and complicated geography. Their experience has transformed how we do business and how we're preparing for the World Cup and beyond!"

For the South Downtown Atlanta project, Seimitsu is leading the technology infrastructure work, while Southern Telecom provides metro fiber infrastructure. Georgia Power's involvement further strengthens the collaboration, delivering a comprehensive technology solution that successfully addresses the South Downtown developer's requirements, with technology serving as a key to enabling seamless support for commerce, innovation and advanced services across South Downtown Atlanta.

About Southern Telecom
Southern Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company, provides access to approximately 10,000 miles of high-count fiber, with a particularly dense network connecting Atlanta to other cities throughout the Southeast. The company also provides critical network elements such as access to rights of way, conduit and co-location facilities. The Southern Telecom network spans Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information about Southern Telecom and its services, please visit southern-telecom.com.

About 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. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. 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. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com. 

About Seimitsu
Seimitsu is a Savannah-based full-service technology company specializing in fiber infrastructure, managed IT, and enterprise-grade cybersecurity. For more than 40 years, Seimitsu has delivered innovative communications and IT solutions to businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies across Georgia. Seimitsu partners with carriers, enterprises, and regional institutions to expand connectivity and strengthen technology resilience across the Southeast. The company's cyber security division provides 24/7 Security Operations Center services—covering incident response, forensics, compliance, and advisory—helping organizations protect critical data and operations.

Recognized for its leadership and community commitment, Seimitsu continues to drive long-term regional growth with a customer-first approach.

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SOURCE Southern Telecom

FAQ

What is SouthernWaves and who are its founding partners?

SouthernWaves is a strategic alliance between Southern Company's (NYSE:SO) subsidiary Southern Telecom and Seimitsu, formed to deliver fiber-optic network services across the Southeast.

What services will SouthernWaves provide to the South Downtown Atlanta project?

SouthernWaves will provide lit fiber services and high-capacity infrastructure to support data transfer, logistics technology, and emergency response coordination across 56 buildings and 10 continuous blocks of the South Downtown Atlanta project.

How does the SouthernWaves partnership differ from Southern Telecom's previous services?

While Southern Telecom previously offered only dark fiber services, SouthernWaves will provide managed lit services with Seimitsu handling bandwidth management and 24/7 network monitoring through their Savannah-based Network Operations Center.

What is the scope of the South Downtown Atlanta project that SouthernWaves will support?

The project involves transforming 56 buildings across 10 continuous blocks, totaling one million square feet, into a second location of Atlanta Tech Village, with technology infrastructure support from SouthernWaves and Georgia Power.

How will SouthernWaves ensure network security and reliability?

SouthernWaves provides secure fiber routes installed in highly secure conduits, with 24/7 network monitoring at their state-of-the-art Network Operations Center in Savannah, ready to respond to virtually any threat.