Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. Manufactures 50,000th Kilometer of OPT-GW.

Business Editors

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000

Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (AFL) announces that it recently manufactured its 50,000th kilometer of Optical Ground Wire (OPT-GW).

Reaching this major milestone reinforces AFL's dedication and commitment to continue to lead the industry in OPT-GW production. The 50,000th kilometer was reached during the production of cable for Tennessee Valley Authority.

Optical Ground Wire is a fiber optic cable that is typically installed on electric utility transmission lines. Its dual functionality as a fiber optic cable and an electrical static wire enable retrofit applications with a minimal impact to existing facilities. AFL was one of the first North American OPT-GW manufacturers, and it continues to lead the industry with the world's largest installed base of OPT-GW. AFL's OPT-GW product line consists of cables with standard fiber counts up to 288. AFL is the only manufacturer in the world that engineers and produces its own line of accessory hardware, enabling AFL to design complete systems to meet the needs of its customers. AFL's cable has been deployed in the world's toughest environmental conditions and provides trouble-free life for many years.

Kurt Dallas, OPT-GW Commercial Manager of AFL, reported, "This is an exciting breakthrough for AFL and our manufacturing facility. As the first OPT-GW supplier in the world to cross this threshold, this serves as a great testament to AFL's dedication and commitment to serving this market. AFL will continue to strive to provide new, innovative technologies and services as well as the manufacturing capacity to serve the ever-growing needs of the marketplace."

B.J. Mills, manager of telecommunications projects of TVA, stated, "On behalf of Tennessee Valley Authority, I would like to offer my congratulations to Alcoa Fujikura and the Spartanburg, South Carolina OPT-GW plant for reaching the significant milestone of 50,000 kilometers of OPT-GW manufactured. We are pleased that the milestone was reached during the production of cable for the Tennessee Valley Authority and want to add our best wishes for continued success. TVA and Alcoa Fujikura have maintained a good business relationship over the years and we appreciate the emphasis placed on quality control and manufacturing schedule commitments."

ABOUT ALCOA FUJIKURA LTD. (AFL)

Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. (AFL), one of 24 Alcoa business units, is a leading global provider of fiber optic products and services to the Electric Utility, Telecommunications, Data Communications, and Broadband industries. AFL provides full systems solutions from the long haul to the desktop. AFL is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, with several manufacturing locations in the US and Mexico. All manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified.