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ATLANTA
and DULLES, June 12, 2001 - Cox Communications Inc., one of the
nation's leading broadband communications companies, and America
Online, the world's leading interactive services company, today
announced an agreement to conduct a technical trial in which the
companies would test the delivery of the high-speed AOL PLUS Internet
service over Cox's broadband network. The six-month trial will allow
both companies to test the service with the option of negotiating a
definitive open access agreement.
Under the
agreement, AOL and other ISPs will join Cox in a trial to examine the
technical issues involved in rolling out multiple ISPs over cable.
During the trial, scheduled to begin in the third quarter, AOL and Cox
will work together to develop and roll out the high-speed AOL PLUS
Internet service over the Cox cable network in the company's El Dorado,
Ark., cable system. Cox earlier announced that EarthLink
will participate in the trial.
Lou Borrelli, Senior Vice President for Broadband, America Online, said: "We are
very pleased to join Cox in this important 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 look forward to adding high-speed cable to the
list of ways in which AOL members can access their accounts."
Dallas Clement,
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, said:
"We are very pleased to be working with AOL in this important
trial. We are eager to explore the technical feasibility of offering
more than one ISP on our network, potentially providing our customers
multiple choices in high-speed Internet service."
About 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, The Learning
Channel, Outdoor Life and Speedvision. More
information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at
www.cox.com.
About America Online, Inc.
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.
Contact Info:
Amy Cohn, Cox Communications
888/395-1854 pager
404/843-5769
David Theis, America Online
703-265-1491
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