ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern
Company subsidiary Southern Linc has entered into an agreement with
Dalton Utilities to transmit distribution data via Linc's new
"CriticalLinc" mission critical LTE network. The multi-year deal
will enable eleven substations in the Dalton, Georgia area to use Southern Linc's
mission critical LTE network for wireless data transmission.
Dalton Utilities is the first Georgia utility to be able to take advantage
of the new CriticalLinc network outside of parent company utilities
Georgia Power and Alabama Power. Today, Southern Company electric
utilities have more than 3,000 wireless data modules currently
using the highly reliable, highly secure LTE network for
distribution and transmission data and controls.
Over the last two years, Southern Linc has been constructing a
new 4G LTE Advanced network to meet the growing mission critical
data needs of its largest customer, Southern Company's electric
utilities. The highly reliable and secure network will also serve
the most crucial data needs of first responders and organizations
like Dalton Utilities.
"We are excited about the opportunity to use faster, more
reliable and more secure wireless data services for Dalton's electric distribution system,"
reported Chief Energy Services Officer John
Thomas. "This is another step forward in our journey
to continually improve services for our customers," he
continued.
"We think working with Dalton
is an ideal fit for us because the new CriticalLinc LTE network was
specifically designed to accommodate the reliability and security
needs of our most important customers--utilities and first
responders," stated Southern Linc CEO Tami
Barron.
Southern Linc's new 4G LTE Advanced network offers network
encryption over the air. In addition, Linc strengthened the
network's emergency backup power capabilities with hydrogen fuel
cell technology at key locations and added main power and complete
data center redundancy to increase the reliability of the new
network. Southern Linc plans to begin migrating existing customers
to the new network in 2018 when voice over LTE services are
available.
Dalton Utilities has operated as a public utility since 1889.
Dalton Utilities provides potable water, electrical, natural gas
and wastewater treatment services to the City of Dalton and portions of Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, Catoosa and Floyd counties. Beginning in 1999, Dalton
Utilities branched into telecommunications with broadband services
to large industrial/commercial customers. In 2003, Dalton Utilities
launched its OptiLink family of services and now provides
broadband, cable TV, telephone and internet services to area
residents and businesses. Dalton Utilities serves approximately
78,000 customers and employs over 300 area residents.
About Southern Linc
Southern Linc, 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. Southern Linc 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. Southern Linc is
constructing a new 4G LTE Advanced network to meet the growing
mission-critical data needs of its largest customer, Southern
Company's electric utilities. The highly reliable, secure network
will have the capacity to serve the most crucial data needs of area
businesses and local government as well. For more information,
please call 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visit
https://www.southernlinc.com/.
Twitter: @southernlinc
Facebook: SouthernLINCWireless
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of
generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined
natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million
customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean,
safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating
companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in
seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale
customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of
customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless
communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent
customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are
below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment
to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing
America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy
resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century
coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating
new products and services for the benefit of
customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S.
Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs
magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50
Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise
magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and
designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The
company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History
from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and
commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among
the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most
Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Linc