Southern Telecom, Inc. (STI), a subsidiary of Southern Company, announced that GigSouth, LLC, a full service, carrier-neutral fiber provider and engineering consultant for rural broadband development headquartered in Atlanta, has selected STI’s colocation services via the company’s 270 Peachtree Street facility in Atlanta. Additionally, in support of rural development, the 270 Peachtree data center will serve as GigSouth’s hub, accessing STI’s extensive dark fiber network.

In December 2018, GigSouth announced its new partnership with STI which included a leasing agreement for STI’s metro dark fiber service and backbone fiber network that expanded its network in targeted rural areas of the Southeast US.

“GigSouth is excited about our partnership with STI,” stated Kevin Paulk, CTO for GigSouth. “Our goal for 270 Peachtree data center is to provide colocation services with a reliable, blended rate. GigSouth understands that not everyone can afford today’s prices for data center space, nor has the need for full cages or even full racks. We will be offering space from as little as a quarter-rack to complete, spacious cages for larger, multi-rack clients.”

STI’s 270 Peachtree facility offers 5,400 square feet of colocation space powered by Southern Company’s highly reliable underground network service. The facility is connected to a dark fiber and conduit ring owned by STI that connects to local carrier hotels.

“We all know the extreme need for improving rural Georgia’s experience with broadband service since everyone depends on it these days,” continued Paulk. “Without highspeed access, rural families and businesses are at a huge disadvantage. That is why working with STI to develop the most efficient solution is key to success in rural markets. Our neutral fiber solution with a blended rate approach is the only offering in the marketplace to solve this problem.

STI presently markets or owns more than 2,600 route miles in the southeast anchored by a robust conduit and dark fiber metro network throughout Atlanta. STI offers colocation via its state-of-the-art facilities in prime locations situated in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with GigSouth to provide colocation services inside our downtown Atlanta facility, along with our dark fiber services and fiber optic network,” stated STI Carrier Account Manager Michael Lamar. “Through our ongoing partnership, GigSouth is now one step closer to expanding reliable, high-speed connectivity options for underserved rural communities in the Southeast.”