ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001--Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX) has launched its technical trial of EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK) and America Online (NYSE:AOL) Internet services over Cox's broadband cable network in El Dorado, Arkansas.

The announcement was made by Dallas Clement, senior vice president of strategy and development for Cox Communications.

Cox began installing cable modems at the homes of 50 Internet users in late September and completed the installations last week. The technical trial, originally announced in April, will last approximately six months and is Cox's first open access trial using multiple Internet service providers (ISPs).

"This trial is the first step toward bringing our high-speed customers more choice by exploring the feasibility and benefits of open access," said Dallas Clement. "By offering the services of companies like EarthLink and AOL to our customers, we can continue to add value to our high-speed product and expose more consumers to the benefits of broadband."

Lou Borrelli, senior vice president for Broadband, America Online, said: "We are very pleased to join Cox in this trial. At America Online, we are committed to making it as easy and convenient as possible for consumers to get the AOL service they love, whenever, wherever and however they want it. We are very excited about adding high-speed cable to the list of ways in which AOL members in El Dorado can access their accounts."

"Cable is a great way to deliver high-speed Internet services, and launching this trial with Cox is a big step toward expanding our reach over cable," said Jon Irwin, executive vice president of member experience at EarthLink. "We've always believed that giving customers a choice of ISPs over cable is important, and Cox deserves credit for being at the forefront of that movement."

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications, a Fortune 500 Company, serves approximately 6.2 million customers nationwide, making it the nation's fifth largest cable television company. A full-service provider of telecommunications products, Cox offers an array of services, including Cox Cable; local and long distance telephone services under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox@Home, Road Runner and Cox Express; advanced digital video programming services under the Cox Digital Cable brand; and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Cox is an investor in telecommunications companies including Sprint PCS and Excite@Home, as well as programming networks including Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com/espanol.

About AOL

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

About EarthLink Broadband

With more than 406,000 high-speed subscribers, EarthLink is one of the leading high-speed Internet service providers. EarthLink is the only ISP to offer high-speed Internet access nationally through all three major broadband technologies: cable, DSL and two-way satellite. The company also offers its award-winning Internet services on a wholesale basis via cable, DSL and fixed wireless technologies. Its commitment to offer a variety of broadband technologies through multiple vendors allows EarthLink to offer its high-speed services to members in more areas of the country.

About EarthLink

The No. 1 Provider of the Real Internet, EarthLink brings the magic of the Internet to 4.8 million subscribers every day. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink provides a full range of innovative access, hosting and e-commerce solutions to thousands of communities through over 7,500 dial-up points of presence, and broadband and wireless technologies. EarthLink is committed to doing an exceptional job of pleasing its subscribers, shareholders and the community by following the company's Core Values and Benefits (http://www.earthlink.net/about/mission.html). Information about EarthLink services is available by calling 800-395-8425 and through EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.

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