ATLANTA -- Southern Company’s National Accounts organization has been recognized as one of two programs in the nation who offered the best overall customer service in 2002. This honor, made by the nation’s retail chains, marks the fifth year in a row that Southern Company has received this prestigious award.

Edison Electric Institute’s Customer Advisory Group annually presents awards based on hundreds of surveys completed by the nation’s largest commercial retail customers. Utilities are recognized based on their overall effectiveness in providing outstanding customer service and value.

Southern Company’s National Accounts manager, Janet Booker, earned an award for outstanding individual National Accounts executive. Booker’s award was based on her ability to provide multi-site customers with service levels and information above and beyond expectations. This is the second time that Booker has received this award.

“Southern Company approaches customer service as a top priority,” says Leonard Haynes, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Southern Company. “We are honored that our National Account customers recognize our high standards of customer service and satisfaction. We also salute Janet Booker for being recognized as one of the best.”

Southern Company’s National Accounts organization is a service resource dedicated to adding value to the business customers it serves by providing energy related products, services, information and industry expertise.

With 4 million customers and nearly 37,000 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 No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s 2003 “America’s Most Admired Companies” list in the Electric and Gas Utility industry. 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.