Cox to explore technology applications with Rhode Island Secretary of State, Department of Employment and Training.

WEST WARWICK, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1995--Cox Communications, Inc. today announced innovative partnerships with the Rhode Island Secretary of State's office and the Department of Employment and Training (DET) to use Cox's telecommunications infrastructure to deliver information about state government and job opportunities to Rhode Island residents.

The partnerships were announced at a press conference to unveil "CoxLinkRI," a series of telecommunications partnership initiatives with education, business and government designed to help Rhode Island travel faster and farther on the information superhighway. Secretary of State James R. Langevin and Department of Employment and Training Director Lawrence G. Fitch participated in the press conference at Cox's West Warwick offices.

Cox and the Secretary of State's office will explore the use of Cox's $36.5 million advanced fiber optic network to disseminate information about state government to Rhode Island residents, according to Secretary of State Langevin. Initially, Cox's network will transmit information about state government to kiosks in public locations. The Secretary of State's office currently provides detailed legislative updates and schedules via the Internet; Cox expects to able to provide similar information over its cable network.

The state government initiative will utilize Cox's advanced fiber-optic network, which has been completed in Warwick and West Warwick and will be expanded throughout the state over the next couple of years.

"We are pleased to be able to work with Rhode Island state government, and to explore innovative ways that government can utilize our communications network," said Craig Watson, Cox Vice President and Rhode Island State Manager. "Today's announcement represents a commitment by Cox to help bring government closer to the citizens of Rhode Island."

"For too long, it seemed that government in Rhode Island had missed the on-ramp to the information superhighway," said Secretary Langevin. "My administration has moved the State House onto the highway and Cox Communications is helping to put us in the fast lane."

Under Cox's partnership with the Department of Employment and Training, the DET will utilize Cox's broadband network to eventually permit residents to access and view available job listings and other employment-related information from the privacy and comfort of their homes. Cox and the DET expect to make the job listings and DET information available throughout Cox's Rhode Island service area.

"Our partnership with Cox and use of their network will allow us to reach out to more Rhode Islanders with information that could help them become gainfully employed," said DET Director Fitch. "That's our goal and our vision, and we thank Cox Communications for their willingness to work with state government on this exciting venture."

As Cox's state-of-art telecommunications network is expanded throughout Rhode Island, Cox will continue to pursue innovative applications in partnership with Rhode Island state government, according to Watson. "We plan to learn from these CoxLinkRI initiatives and to bring similar and even more enhanced services to the rest of the state within the next few years," Watson said.

Cox Communications Inc., the nation's fifth largest multiple system operator, is a fully integrated broadband communications company with interests in domestic and international cable distribution systems, programming networks and telecommunications technology. Locally, Cox now provides cable television service to approximately 136,000 customers in Providence, North Providence, Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, East Greenwich, Johnston, Burrillville, Scituate and Glocester. Pending completion of its proposed TCI and East Providence acquisitions, Cox will serve some 230,000 homes in Rhode Island.

CONTACT: Cox Communications

Fred Lewis, 401/821-1919, x344