ATLANTA - October 3, 2006 - Southern Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), today announced that it was chosen by the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide dark fiber to connect the DOT's Atlanta and Macon, Ga., Transportation Management Centers (TMC).
As part of its focus to plan, construct, maintain and improve the state's road and bridges to keep pace with the ever-changing flow of traffic, the Georgia DOT implemented NAVIGATOR, Georgia's Statewide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The ITS is the integration of technology, information processing and communication that leads to easier travel, increased safety and saved time and money.
The DOT's planning and maintenance initiatives include seamless real-time traffic information throughout the state using an intricate system to monitor traffic flow and congestion in major cities. Two of those cities, Atlanta and Macon, will now be connected to centralize processes, reduce costs and provide better service to motorists.
"Atlanta-area commuters log more than 100 million vehicle miles traveled every business day," said Jeffrey Hill, division director and CIO, information technology for the Georgia DOT. "Highway and road conditions change in the blink of an eye. Inclement weather, roadway debris, stalled vehicles and accidents can quickly cause congestion on Georgia interstates, which leads to lost time and money as well as increased frustration. It's our job to ensure we are providing real-time, accurate information to help Georgia drivers plan their routes and arrive safely at their destinations."
Meeting the mobility needs of Georgia's travelers in a safe and efficient manner is a constant challenge. The NAVIGATOR network of Monitoring and Video Detection System (VDS) cameras is the primary source of real-time information about current travel conditions. Southern Telecom built and provided the dark fiber to connect the Georgia DOT's Atlanta and Macon TMCs, thus enhancing the timeliness and accuracy for reports on traffic congestion and incidents. As a result, the Georgia DOT has increased services and decreased operational costs.
"With 345 route miles in Georgia alone, Southern Telecom has one of the most extensive dark fiber networks in the Southeast," said Leif Ericson, business development manager for Southern Telecom. "We are the perfect partner for the Georgia DOT and are excited about its decision to use Southern Telecom's fiber to connect its Atlanta and Macon operations."
About Southern Telecom
Southern Telecom is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company that provides long-haul and metropolitan dark fiber connecting Atlanta with smaller cities throughout the Southeast. The company also provides network elements such as rights of way, dark fiber, conduit, co-location and other related maintenance services. Southern Telecom is a certified Contractor in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and also at the federal level. For more information about Southern Telecom, please call (404) 506-5120.
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.
About the Georgia Department of Transportation
The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our website (www.dot.state.ga.us).