EXHIBIT 23.1



                               Arthur Andersen LLP










                    Consent of Independent Public Accountants




As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 (relating to Southern
Company Capital Trust VI Preferred Securities, Southern Company Capital Trust
VII Preferred Securities, Southern Company Capital Funding, Inc. Junior
Subordinated Notes, Southern Company Capital Funding, Inc. Senior Notes, The
Southern Company Preferred Securities Guarantees, The Southern Company Junior
Subordinated Notes Guarantees, The Southern Company Senior Notes Guarantees) of
our reports dated February 28, 2001 on the financial statements of The Southern
Company and the related financial statement schedule included in The Southern
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and to all references
to our Firm included in this registration statement.



                                              /s/Arthur Andersen LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
July 11, 2001