CORNING, N.Y. & ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001--

Deployment marks first time MetroCor(TM) fiber will be used

for cable television transmission

Charter Communications (Nasdaq:CHTR) and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) announced today that Charter Communications has committed to a purchase agreement for several hundred thousand kilometers of Corning(R) MetroCor(TM) fiber.

Charter Communications expects to begin deployment as of first quarter 2001 and anticipates completion of the network by fourth quarter 2002. Corning Cable Systems is the cabler for MetroCor optical fiber and the primary hardware supplier for this project.

MetroCor fiber will be used to consolidate certain key head ends in Charter's backbone networks, as well as extend overall path lengths between nodes. A DWDM platform will be utilized in portions of Charter Communications' regional cable telecommunications networks located throughout the United States. Through this consolidation, Charter Communications will be able to improve service to their 6.3 million cable television and telecommunications customers. In addition to facilitating the convergence of voice, video and data traffic across their networks, Corning's newest optical fiber brings network simplicity, scalability and an upgradable path for the Charter Communications backbone.

"MetroCor fiber improves performance in our networks' 1550 nanometer digital applications, and we are very pleased to be the first cable TV company to take advantage of its capabilities in providing enhanced services to our customers," said Larry Schutz, vice president of engineering for Charter Communications.

"By deploying MetroCor fiber in its regional telecommunications networks, Charter Communications positions itself at the forefront of the cable telecommunications industry. With the use of directly modulated lasers, MetroCor fiber extends the uncompensated reach four times compared to standard single-mode fiber," said Corning's Curt Weinstein, director, metro fiber." This represents MetroCor fiber's first appearance in the cable telecommunications industry since its unveiling in March 2000. We are confident that Charter's customers will enjoy the advantages this technology brings them."

MetroCor fiber is a non-zero dispersion shifted fiber (NZDSF) optimized for regional and metropolitan applications and DWDM equipment. It reduces network expenses by increasing the capability of low-cost lasers and by reducing the need for optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversions, offering added value to CATV networks. Installing this advanced fiber will fulfill the need for lower operating costs and reduced network complexity.

About Charter Communications

With 6.3 million customers, Charter Communications, a Wired World(TM) company, is among the nation's largest broadband communications companies. Charter offers an array of advanced broadband services, including cable television under the Charter Cable TV brand; advanced digital video programming services under the Charter Digital Cable(TM) brand; and high-speed Internet access via Charter Pipeline(TM). Charter's Class A common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol "CHTR." More information about Charter can be found on the Internet at www.chartercom.com.

About Corning Incorporated

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world's economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning's revenues in 2000 were $7.1 billion. For more information about MetroCor fiber, visit www.corningfiber.com.

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