Cox Communications, Computers for Families and Toshiba Launch Digital Divide Education Efforts.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2002

Partnering to Provide High Speed Internet for Low Income

Children and Families

Cox Communications Santa Barbara, announced today that it is partnering with Partners in Education and the Santa Barbara County Education Office Computers for Families Project and Toshiba to provide Cox High Speed Internet service to low-income families on the South Coast of Santa Barbara.

Computers for Families is a non-profit community based organization, established in 1997 to provide computers, Internet access and training for Santa Barbara County students whose families cannot afford to purchase them.

"We believe that access to technology at home is critical to building the skills essential for success in the 21st century," said Matt Zuchowicz, representative for Santa Barbara Computers for Families. "Santa Barbara Computers for Families is now in its sixth year of placing 4,000 computers into the homes of South Santa Barbara County school-children whose parents cannot afford to purchase these increasingly important learning tools. In addition to providing these tools, we are committed to providing training resources to the students, teachers, parents and administrators who will use them."

Computers for Families partners with local businesses to obtain used computers, which are refurbished by youthful offenders at Los Prietos Boys Camp. Computer for Families' teachers receive technical and curricular training and support. Before receiving the computers, parents are also required to attend training sessions. The computers are then donated to economically disadvantaged families who would not be able to afford the cost of computers, modems and regular prices for Internet services.

Cox Communications, a financial contributor to Computers for Families, has recently embarked on a process to offer the Cox High-Speed Internet product for these families as an alternative choice to slow dial-up services. Significant discounting, in the neighborhood of 75 percent, is being offered to these families.

"In our franchise discussion with the County of Santa Barbara we identified the community need for broadband services to reach low income families," said Julie McGovern, vice president, general manager for Cox Communications Santa Barbara.

"Our decision to be involved in this project was based on our desire to have a significant effect on the financially disadvantaged school children in our community. We have removed the financial barrier for low income households with school aged children to have access to broadband services," added McGovern. "We asked Toshiba to help us in this effort and they have stepped up to be a major partner."

Toshiba's Network Products Division, a major supplier of DOCSIS cable modems, has joined this effort by donating 1,500 modems to this worthwhile project.

"Toshiba is honored to partner with Cox Communications Santa Barbara and Computers for Families to bring broadband access to those in the region who cannot afford it," said Fred Berry, vice president, general manager for Toshiba America Information Systems, Network Products. "Toshiba is committed to supporting causes that help close the digital divide and provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth to reach educational goals."

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications (NYSE:COX), a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company serving approximately 6.3 million customers nationwide. Cox is the nation's fifth-largest cable television provider, and offers both traditional analog video programming under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video programming under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox High Speed Internet; and commercial voice and data services via its affiliate Cox Business Services LLC. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com.

Cox Communications Santa Barbara serves more than 67,000 customers along the South Coast. Cox has received the National Cable Television Association Award for Customer Excellence nine years running. The editors of Cablevision Magazine, a cable industry trade publication named Cox "Operator of the Year" twice for the company's quality of management, customer relations, community service and financial acumen.

Cox Communications Santa Barbara has been recognized for support of the community through various programs in education, social services, the arts and cultural activities. Cox Communications received the 1999 Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, the 2000 United Way Community Service Award, the 1999 Business of the Year from the Goleta Chamber of Commerce and many other local awards.

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Network Products Division

Toshiba America Information Systems, Network Products Division is the market share leader for cable modem sales in North America. The division markets a range of communications and networking products, including the PCX DOCSIS Cable Modem, which offers the highest performance in cable data modem technology in the industry. Utilizing the same hybrid fiber coax interface as cable television, the DOCSIS modem provides residential and small business users with a faster, more powerful two-way interface to the Internet. Toshiba cable modems are currently sold directly to consumers through e-commerce and nationwide retail outlets, and to leading cable operators including Time-Warner, AT&T, Cox Communications, Comcast, Charter and others. Toshiba Network Products Division has headquarters in Irvine, Calif. and is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $50 billion Toshiba Corp., the eighth largest computer and electronics company in the world. More information can be found on the Web at internet.toshiba.com.