US LEC Wins Large Contract With Southern LINC.

Carrier Builds Custom System for Wireless Provider in Five States

Continuing to demonstrate its ability to meet the needs of telecom-intensive customers, US LEC Corp. , a super-regional telecommunications carrier providing integrated voice, data and Internet telecommunications services to businesses, was tapped by Southern LINC, a leading Southeastern wireless communications company, to provide large-scale customized network solutions. Southern LINC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Southern Company .

With the installation complete, US LEC has deployed a customized SS7 network, a customized E911 network, and a customized redundant and diverse network for inbound and outbound calling. In addition, US LEC completed the smooth transition of more than 35,000 toll free numbers and 387,000 local numbers to the new network. All services provided by US LEC are reported to Southern LINC through a customized billing package via a secure Web interface, allowing the company to distribute call detail records into any custom reporting desired.

"We are very pleased to add Southern LINC as a customer. Our reputation for the highest level of customer care in the industry and our ability to customize networks and services was key to establishing our relationship with Southern LINC," said Aaron Cowell, US LEC's president and CEO. "The inherent diversity and redundancy of US LEC's network allow us to literally build the complex network structures that companies like Southern LINC require as a standard. Southern LINC has very high expectations for the carriers that help support its customers. This network, billing package, and the project management to implement it seamlessly to Southern LINC's customers is a perfect example of the advantages that US LEC delivers to its customers."

"Switching carriers is a large undertaking, and US LEC provided a smooth transition," said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of Southern LINC. "US LEC did everything they promised, and we are looking forward to a great working relationship."

About US LEC

Based in Charlotte, NC, US LEC is an integrated telecommunications carrier providing voice, data and Internet services to over 10,000 mid-to-large-sized business customers throughout the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. US LEC's network of 26 digital switching centers consists of Lucent 5ESS(R) AnyMedia(TM) digital switches, Lucent CBX500 ATM data switches, Juniper M20(tm) Internet Gateway routers and an Alcatel MegaHub(R) 600ES. The US LEC local service area includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. In addition to the states listed above, US LEC also offers selected voice and data services in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. For more information about US LEC, visit http://www.uslec.com/ .

About Southern LINC

Southern LINC, which stands for Long-range Integrated Network Communications, covers 127,000 square miles in the Southeast, including major metro and rural areas in Alabama, Georgia, southeastern Mississippi and northwest Florida. Using Motorola's iDEN(R) technology, Southern LINC combines multiple communication services into one handset or installed device including Instant LINC two-way radio, phone service, numeric and text paging, wireless Internet and wireless data access and Java(TM) 2 Micro Edition (J2ME(TM)) applications. Southern LINC is also recognized by Motorola as the most reliable iDEN network in the world. More information about Southern LINC can be obtained by calling 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visiting the Southern LINC Web site at http://www.southernlinc.com/.

About Southern Company:

With 4 million customers and nearly 37,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company 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 2002 "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. Southern LINC and Instant LINC are salesmarks or registered trademarks of Southern LINC. Motorola and iDEN are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements, subject to uncertainties and risks, including the demand for US LEC's services, the ability of the Company to introduce additional products, the ability of the Company to successfully attract and retain personnel, competition in existing and potential additional markets, uncertainties regarding its dealings with ILECs and other telecommunications carriers and facilities providers, regulatory uncertainties, the possibility of adverse decisions related to reciprocal compensation and access charges owing to the Company, as well as the Company's ability to begin operations in additional markets. These and other applicable risks are summarized in the "Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001, and in subsequent reports, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   Media Contacts:      US LEC Investor Contact:   US LEC:              James Stawski   Jennifer Sharpe      704-319-1189   704-319-1135         jstawski@uslec.com   jsharpe@uslec.com    Southern LINC:   Gretchen Crawford   678-443-1525   gscrawfo@southernco.com  

CONTACT: media, Jennifer Sharpe of US LEC Corp., +1-704-319-1135, or jsharpe@uslec.com, or Gretchen Crawford of Southern LINC, +1-678-443-1525, or gscrawfo@southernco.com, or investors, James Stawski of US LEC Corp., +1-704-319-1189, or jstawski@uslec.com,

Web site: http://www.southernlinc.com/

Web site: http://www.southerncompany.com/

Web site: http://www.uslec.com/