OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb 6, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cox Business Services, LLC, an affiliate of Cox Communications, Inc., announced today an agreement with SMG -- the company that operates the Oklahoma City Myriad Convention Center on behalf of the City -- to upgrade the business facility with a telecommunications infrastructure and a network delivering commercial grade Internet service.

Under the agreement, Cox Business Services will provide consistent 25Mbps Internet access using a series of 10,100MB Ethernet switches carried over Cox's fiber optic connections. The switches will be distributed throughout the facility for quick and easy configuration of shows, meetings and conventions. Managers for the Myriad Convention Center believe the broadband network will offer Oklahoma City a competitive advantage by setting new standards for public facility connectivity in the Southwest.

"We are thrilled that Cox Business Services is working with us to meet our future challenges and help rejuvenate our existing convention facility," said Gary Desjardins, general manager for SMG. "While most telecommunications companies are scaling back, Cox Business Services is providing us with a opportunity to help attract new, lucrative high-tech conventions to Oklahoma City."

As terms of the agreement, the current Myriad Convention Center will be renamed the Cox Business Services Convention Center in exchange for goods, services and monies totaling $1.7 million over seven years.

Cox recently completed a migration of its Cox Business Internet and residential data subscribers to a new Internet Protocol (IP) data network in Oklahoma City. The new Cox-managed IP network provides significant advantages, increased capabilities and functions for businesses that rely on high-speed Internet access for mission-critical activities. Exhibitors on the show floor and meetings spaces can link to reliable, high-speed connections for real-time communication, demonstrations and presentations.

"We are very excited with the opportunity to help refocus the existing convention facility on more business-to-business events and high-technology uses," said Mollie Andrews, vice president and general manager of Cox Business Services in Oklahoma. "Cox Business Services has significant experience in providing telecommunications, video and high-speed Internet connections to local businesses, schools and government facilities."

Cox uses coaxial and fiber optic cables for a true facilities-based network delivering advanced digital voice, video and data products and services. Cox has been providing Oklahoma City with commercial services for nearly 10 years and commercial telephone service since 1996.

About Cox Business Services

Cox Business Services, LLC, is an affiliate of Atlanta-based Cox Communications, Inc., a Fortune 500 company and the nation's fifth largest cable broadband communications company. A full-service, facilities-based provider of telecommunications solutions, Cox Business Services serves home offices; small, medium and large-sized businesses; school districts; and hospitality, government and military properties in cities across the nation. Cox offers high-speed Internet services; switched voice services and long-distance; and dedicated voice, data and video transport services. More information about Cox can be accessed on the Internet at www.coxbusiness.com.

CONTACT: Cox Communications, Inc. Bobby Amirshahi, 404/843-7872 bobby.amirshahi@cox.com