#United States #Atlanta #Southern Linc #Georgia Emergency #CriticalLinc LTE

Southern Linc and Georgia Celebrate Emergency Communication Progress

On October 1, 2025, Southern Linc, a subsidiary of Southern Company, proudly announced its new collaboration with various Georgia state agencies, celebrating the culmination of the Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project at the Capitol in Atlanta. Joined by Governor Brian P. Kemp, the event highlighted the significant strides made in unifying communications across the state's first responders and essential services.

The initiative aims to integrate diverse radio systems, enabling multiple agencies—including law enforcement, emergency management, and public safety departments—to work together seamlessly. Governor Kemp praised the project for its pivotal role in enhancing situational awareness and coordination during crises, stating that it allows Georgia to respond more effectively to emergencies.

With Southern Linc’s innovative CriticalLinc™ LTE network, radio communication's reach has expanded dramatically, covering thousands of miles across the state. This unified system enables personnel to use a single device for push-to-talk capabilities, significantly improving their communication efficiency during emergencies. Southern Linc’s solution has already proven indispensable in responding to significant events like Hurricane Helene, where rapid coordination was vital.

Representatives from agencies such as the Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission, and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency gathered to acknowledge this milestone. By connecting private radio networks to Southern Linc’s advanced LTE technology, these organizations can communicate effectively, ultimately ensuring the safety of Georgian citizens.

"Effective communication is the cornerstone of information sharing during critical incidents, and most importantly, it saves lives and increases efficiency," explained Governor Kemp. He emphasized the necessity of bridging existing communication gaps and fostering collaboration among first responders and government entities by adopting innovative solutions.

Southern Linc's selection for this project stemmed from their recognized expertise in interoperability between Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and LTE. By employing advanced technologies such as specially designed L3Harris radios and unique LMR-to-LTE gateways, Southern Linc is revolutionizing how public safety communications function in Georgia.

The newly established interoperable communication network is now essential for several state agencies and has also attracted numerous local law enforcement and emergency services. This collaboration illustrates the power of partnerships between the private sector and government agencies to enhance community safety and resilience.

As Bentina Terry, President and CEO of Southern Linc stated, "This project represents a bold step forward in helping to ensure seamless, reliable, and secure communication across our state and the nation, especially during emergencies and critical operations. We're proud to contribute this vital infrastructure to Georgia."

The Georgia Statewide Communications Interoperability Project exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to public safety communication. By leveraging advanced technology and focusing on cooperation, Georgia is fixing its communication framework, making the state better equipped for emergencies, and outperforming in collaborative response efforts.

For more information on Southern Linc and its services, please visit Southern Linc.