What SouthernLINC Wireless does

Southern Linc (legal entity Southern Communications Services, Inc.) is a regional mission-critical LTE wireless carrier and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company operates the CriticalLinc LTE network across more than 122,000 square miles of the Southeast United States, covering Alabama, Georgia, southeastern Mississippi, and extending nationwide through roaming partnerships with major carriers. The CriticalLinc network is built on 1,300+ LTE cell sites and two fully geographically redundant core network data centers, with redundant signal paths, backup power, satellite backhaul, and over-the-air encryption to deliver utility-grade reliability; Southern Linc was the first U.S. carrier to offer public-sector-grade Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) on a public LTE network, and its Catalyst IntelliLink Windows gateway bridges disparate LMR radio systems to LTE for interagency interoperability.

The product portfolio centers on the CriticalLinc LTE network and three integrated service layers: (1) Linc MCPTT — a 3GPP-compliant mission-critical push-to-talk application available on iOS and Android via app stores, supporting group, individual, emergency, and priority calls with AES-256 encryption and dispatch console integration; (2) LTE Voice and Data services, including subscription service plans ($26–$66/month) and usage-based data tiers ($7–$100/month) on 2- and 5-year agreements; and (3) LMR-to-LTE interoperability delivered through Catalyst IntelliLink and L3Harris XL Series dual-mode radios, complemented by TrueTrack GPS/fleet/asset tracking and a curated certified-hardware ecosystem (Samsung Galaxy/XCover, Sonim XP, Panasonic Toughbook, Getac, Sierra Wireless AirLink, Cradlepoint, Cisco, BEC, GE Grid Solutions, ADRF). Additional offerings include Lifeline government-assistance plans and the AdvanceMobile iSL1 vehicle MCPTT solution.

Southern Linc monetizes through subscription service plans, device/hardware sales of certified rugged equipment, usage-based data services, and subscription-based TrueTrack tracking. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales targeting utilities, public-safety agencies, and government customers; an authorized dealer network across Alabama, Georgia, and southeastern Mississippi; app-store distribution of Linc MCPTT; and state procurement vehicles including Alabama State Contract #210000000351-999-1 and Georgia Technology Authority contracts. Primary customer segments are first responders and public safety, utilities and critical infrastructure (including sister subsidiaries Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power), municipal/state government, and transportation/fleet operators. The company employs 251–500 people and does not publicly disclose revenue, operating as a private subsidiary within Southern Company's capital structure.

Name

SouthernLINC Wireless

Legal name

Southern Communications Services, Inc.

Website

https://southernlinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Southern Linc is a Southern Company subsidiary operating the CriticalLinc mission-critical LTE network across 122,000+ square miles in the Southeast U.S., delivering MCPTT, LMR-to-LTE interoperability, and certified rugged devices to public safety, utilities, and government agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mission Critical Wireless Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Mission-Critical & Public Safety Private Networks (MCX/LMR Interop) (HDAIAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial/OT Private Connectivity (Factory, Mining, Ports) (HDAIAGAD), OT/ICS & Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Services (BPAKAHAN), Emergency Telecommunications & Connectivity (ETC) (BPADADAG)

Keywords

• Mission critical wireless
• Push-to-talk services
• LMR-to-LTE interoperability
• LTE network carrier
• Public safety communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wireless Service Plans: Recurring subscription revenue from mission critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), LTE voice, and mobile data service plans. Plans range from basic PTT ($26/month) to comprehensive plans with pooled data up to 10GB ($66/month). Both 2-year and 5-year agreement terms available.
2. Device/Hardware Sales: One-time sales of certified devices including rugged smartphones (Samsung, Sonim), LMR/LTE radios (L3Harris), mobile hotspots, modems, and fixed routers. Device pricing ranges from $194.99 (Galaxy A17) to $845.99 (Galaxy S26).
3. Data Services: Usage-based and tiered data services for fixed and mobile operations. Low usage plans (1MB to 150MB) and high usage pooled plans (250MB to 15GB). Data overage charges apply ($15/GB on CriticalLinc plans; $1/MB on low usage plans).
4. Fleet/Asset Tracking Services: TrueTrack subscription-based tracking services providing real-time visibility for fleets, assets, and mobile workers. Includes mobile app and installed solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southern Linc operates the CriticalLinc mission-critical LTE wireless network covering 122,000+ square miles across Alabama, Georgia, and southeastern Mississippi, delivering Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT), LTE voice, mobile data, and LMR-to-LTE interoperability services to government agencies, utilities, and public safety organizations. The company sells a portfolio of certified rugged devices, fleet tracking (TrueTrack), and multi-year service plans backed by redundant infrastructure and over-the-air encryption.

Product overview

SouthernLINC Wireless is a mission-critical LTE wireless carrier and subsidiary of Southern Company, providing a unified portfolio of network services and certified hardware. The core offering is the CriticalLinc™ LTE network (over 122,000 sq mi of coverage), which delivers three integrated service layers: (1) Linc MCPTT — a public-sector grade Mission Critical Push-to-Talk app for instant two-way group and individual calls; (2) LTE Voice and Data services including fixed/mobile data plans, mobile hotspots, and TrueTrack GPS/fleet tracking solutions; and (3) LMR-to-LTE Interoperability, delivered via the Catalyst IntelliLink™ Windows gateway software and L3Harris XL Series dual-mode LMR/LTE radios. The portfolio also includes a curated hardware lineup (Samsung Galaxy phones, Sonim rugged phones, L3Harris portable/installed radios, Panasonic Toughbook laptops, Sierra Wireless/Cradlepoint routers, BEC routers, Franklin Wireless hotspots) and Lifeline government-assistance voice and data plans. The service is anchored by 30 years of mission-critical operations supporting utilities, government agencies, and public safety organizations across the Southeast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CriticalLinc: Mission critical LTE network brand providing beyond reliable LTE coverage, push-to-talk, voice, data services, and LMR-to-LTE interoperability.
• TrueTrack
• Linc MCPTT

Products and services

• CriticalLinc LTE Network Mission-critical LTE wireless network providing 122,000+ square miles of coverage across the Southeast U.S. with redundant signal paths, satellite backhaul, over-the-air encryption, and nationwide roaming via major carrier partners.
• Linc MCPTT Mission Critical Push-to-Talk mobile application delivering instant two-way group and individual calls, emergency calls, priority talk groups, and dispatch console integration over LTE; available on iOS and Android.
• Catalyst IntelliLink Windows-based gateway software enabling seamless communication among disparate LMR radio systems over the CriticalLinc LTE network, bridging standards-based and proprietary radio protocols to LTE MCPTT for interagency collaboration.
• TrueTrack GPS/Fleet Tracking Real-time GPS tracking platform for vehicle fleets, asset monitoring, fuel management, mobile workforce management, and personal tracking, with up to 2-second update intervals and OBD-II/CAN bus integration.
• CriticalLinc Service Plans Integrated voice, MCPTT, and data service plans ranging from Basic PTT ($26/mo with 500MB data) to 10GB plans ($66/mo), all on 2-year agreements with pooled data and overage rates of $15/GB.
• Data Plans (Low Usage & High Usage) Fixed and mobile data plans with pooled data ranging from 1MB to 15GB, designed for M2M/IoT and larger operations; require 5-year agreement; overage charges apply.
• Lifeline Service Plans Government-subsidized wireless voice (2,000 anytime cellular minutes, unlimited text) and data (5GB LTE via Franklin Wireless hotspot) plans for eligible low-income subscribers in Alabama and Georgia.
• CriticalLinc+ Expanded Local Coverage Add-on coverage option providing expanded local coverage within the Southern Linc service area for CriticalLinc service plans.
• L3Harris XL Series Radios Multi-band portable and installed mobile LMR/LTE radios (XL-200P, XL-185P, XL-200M, XL-185M, XL Extreme 400P) certified for the CriticalLinc network, with advanced noise cancellation and MIL-STD-810G ratings.
• Samsung Galaxy Certified Devices Rugged Android smartphones (Galaxy S26, XCover7 Pro, A37, A17) and tablets (Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro) with MIL-STD-810H and IP68 ratings, certified for the CriticalLinc LTE network with programmable PTT buttons.
• Sonim XP Series Phones Ultra-rugged LTE voice and push-to-talk phones (XP5plus, XP3plus) with MIL-STD-810H, IP68/IP69K ratings, no-look MCPTT controls, and loud front-facing speakers for mission-critical environments.
• Rugged Laptops and Tablets (Panasonic Toughbook / Getac) Rugged laptops (Panasonic Toughbook 33, 54, 55) and tablets (Getac F110) certified for the CriticalLinc network, designed for field computing in harsh conditions.
• Wireless Modems, Routers, and Hotspots Sierra Wireless AirLink MG90/MP70/RV55/RV50X, Cradlepoint COR IBR900, BEC MX-series, Cisco IR829/IR807, and Franklin Wireless hotspots certified for CriticalLinc network for fixed and mobile data applications.
• AdvanceMobile iSL1 Vehicle MCPTT Installed vehicle MCPTT solution providing hands-free, high-volume push-to-talk communication through the Linc MCPTT app with text messaging for commercial fleet drivers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full system availability restored within 72 hours after Hurricane Katrina
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• L3Harris TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationL3Harris provides multi-band LMR/LTE radios (XL-200P, XL-185P, XL-400P, XL Extreme 400P) certified for the CriticalLinc network. Portable and installed mobile radios enable LMR-to-LTE interoperability for mission critical users. L3Harris radios feature advanced noise cancellation, glove-compatible controls, and MIL-STD-810G ratings.
• Catalyst International (IntelliLink)coreTechnology or IntegrationCatalyst IntelliLink is a Windows-based gateway solution enabling seamless communication among disparate LMR radio systems over the CriticalLinc LTE network. Standards-compliant LMR-to-LTE interworking connecting virtually any LMR radio system to LTE MCPTT.
• Sierra WirelesscoreTechnology or IntegrationSierra Wireless provides certified routers and gateways including AirLink MG90 (high-performance vehicle router), MP70 LTE Router, and RV50X Industrial LTE Gateway for mission critical data applications on the CriticalLinc network.
• CradlepointstandardTechnology or IntegrationCradlepoint COR IBR900 vehicle routers certified on CriticalLinc network. Gigabit-Class LTE Advanced Pro modem designed for vehicles in challenging environments with Wave 2 dual-band Wi-Fi.
• PanasonicstandardTechnology or IntegrationPanasonic Toughbook devices (Toughbook 33, 54, 55) and Getac F110 tablets certified for CriticalLinc network. Rugged mobile computing solutions for field operations and public safety applications.
• SamsungstandardTechnology or IntegrationSamsung Galaxy devices (S26, XCover7 Pro, A37, A17) and Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro certified for CriticalLinc network. Smartphones and tablets for mission critical and enterprise communications.
• Sonim TechnologiesstandardTechnology or IntegrationSonim XP5plus and XP3plus ultra-rugged phones with LTE voice and push-to-talk capabilities. MIL-STD-810H and IP68/IP69K ratings for harsh industrial and public safety environments.
• CiscostandardTechnology or IntegrationCisco IR829 and IR807 Industrial Integrated Services Routers certified for CriticalLinc network. Designed for harsh industrial environments and IoT applications including remote asset monitoring.
• GE Grid SolutionsstandardTechnology or IntegrationGE Orbit Series Routers certified for CriticalLinc network. Industrial-grade LTE routers with cybersecurity capabilities certified for IEEE1613, IEC61850-3, and ATEX standards.
• BEC (Bayland Communications)standardTechnology or IntegrationBEC MX-200A, MX-200Ae, MX-600, MX-1200 routers and BEC 7000 Series outdoor routers. Multi-service modular routers with embedded GPS and cloud-based remote device management.
• Franklin WirelessstandardTechnology or IntegrationFranklin Wireless RT410 4G LTE mobile hotspot and R717 hotspot certified for CriticalLinc network. Connectivity solutions for mobile workers and Lifeline program.
• GetacstandardTechnology or IntegrationGetac F110 rugged tablet certified for CriticalLinc network. Hot-swappable dual battery design, IP65 rating, Windows compatibility for demanding field environments.
• Southern CompanycoreOthersSouthern Company is the parent company of Southern Linc (Southern Communications Services, Inc.). Parent company of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power - all Southern Linc customers. Provides strength and reliability backing for Southern Linc operations.
• State of AlabamacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlabama State Contract #210000000351-999-1 for Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT) services. Provides procurement pathway for state agencies to access CriticalLinc services.
• Georgia Technology Authority (GTA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeorgia state government technology authority contract for LTE services. Enables Georgia state agencies to procure CriticalLinc services through established government contracting channels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Supplier of XL Series multi-band LMR/LTE portable and mobile radios certified on the CriticalLinc network. A strategic equipment partner to Southern Linc, while also selling LMR/PTT solutions directly to public safety agencies as a broader incumbent in mission-critical communications.
• Motorola Solutions: Global leader in LMR radio systems (APX, MOTOTRBO) and now expanding into private LTE for public safety via Kodiak/MCPTT acquisitions. Competes with Southern Linc in mission-critical communications equipment and software, though primarily in LMR rather than carrier services.

Emerging players

• Sonim Technologies: Ultra-rugged handset manufacturer (XP5plus, XP3plus) certified for the CriticalLinc network. Comparable as a niche rugged-device specialist serving public safety, utilities, and industrial users requiring mission-critical PTT devices.
• Hytera: Global provider of LMR radios and push-to-talk-over-cellular (PoC) solutions including Hytalk and Smart Dispatch. Offers comparable LMR and broadband PTT products targeting public safety, utilities, and commercial fleet operators.
• JVCKENWOOD (EF Johnson): Provides ATLAS PTT solution and LMR radio systems targeting public safety and utilities with LTE/P25 interoperability. Comparable to Southern Linc's Catalyst IntelliLink approach in addressing LMR-to-LTE bridge use cases for agencies modernizing communications.

Direct peers

• Verizon Frontline: Verizon's public safety and first responder wireless service offering prioritized network access and preemption. Competes with Southern Linc in serving government agencies, utilities, and first responders, particularly where multi-state operations matter.
• Anterix: Holds 900 MHz broadband spectrum licensed for private LTE networks serving U.S. critical infrastructure and utilities. Closely comparable to Southern Linc in serving the utility vertical with dedicated, private broadband networks for grid operations.
• AT&T FirstNet: The U.S. nationwide public safety broadband network built by AT&T with federal government backing. Directly competes with Southern Linc's CriticalLinc mission-critical LTE offering for public safety, government, and utility customers, with significantly broader geographic coverage.

Others

• Cradlepoint (Ericsson): Supplies 4G/5G wireless edge routers including COR IBR900 series certified on Southern Linc's CriticalLinc network. Acts as an enabling technology partner providing enterprise and public-safety WAN edge hardware.
• Sierra Wireless (Semtech): Provides AirLink routers and gateways certified on the CriticalLinc network for fixed and mobile data applications. Functions as a key technology/integration partner supplying mission-critical IoT connectivity hardware rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/southernlinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthernLINCWireless
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/166070

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SouthernLINC Wireless