Exhibit 99.01
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The
Southern Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, I, Allen Franklin,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, hereby certify pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, that:

         (1)      such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Southern Company for
                  the quarter ended September 30, 2002, which this statement
                  accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q of The Southern Company for the quarter ended September
                  30, 2002, fairly presents, in all material respects, the
                  financial condition and results of operations of The Southern
                  Company.



                                /s/Allen Franklin
                                Allen Franklin
                                Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


Date:  November 12, 2002