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Charter Expands Retail Presence With Gateway Alliance; Computer-Shopping Consumers Can Sign Up for High-Speed Cable Modem Service at Gateway Stores

ST. LOUIS & SAN DIEGO, Mar 7, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR) and Gateway, Inc. (NYSE:GTW) have teamed up to deliver Charter Pipeline(TM) high-speed Internet access to customers through 30 Gateway(R) stores nationwide. With this agreement, customers can easily sign up for fast broadband access(3) with a value-priced package that includes equipment and ongoing support.

"This agreement makes it easy for customers to order high-speed cable modem service at the same time they're buying a new Gateway personal computer," said Steve Frank, director of Retail for Charter. "Most consumers want a personal computer so they can go to the Internet, and there's no better or faster way to go online than with cable modem service. We want to make it as convenient and affordable as possible for customers to bundle Charter Pipeline service with a new Gateway personal computer right at the time they're buying that computer."

"A high-speed connection dramatically enhances the customer's experience with their PC and opens the door to exciting applications like digital music, photography and video," said Mike Flanary, vice president of communications solutions, Gateway, Inc. "We're pleased to offer even more Gateway customers the opportunity to take advantage of broadband access through our alliance with Charter. And Gateway stores are the perfect place for customers to see broadband in action, ask questions and determine whether a high-speed connection is right for them."

Customers can go to a local Gateway store to see a demonstration of Charter Pipeline, quickly find out whether the service is available at their home and then easily sign up for the service. Charter Pipeline is a high-speed Internet service that enhances the online experience with downloads many times faster than a normal dial-up connection. Charter's high-speed service combined with Gateway's award-winning PCs take full advantage of the power of broadband, offering customers the ability to do a number of online activities all at the same time, such as checking e-mail, shopping online, watching videos and listening to music.

Information about Charter Pipeline is now or will soon be available at Gateway stores in the following cities:

Alabama: Montgomery, Hoover
California: Glendale, San Luis Obispo
Florida: Miami
Georgia: Bogart, Buford, Duluth, Morrow
Illinois: Fairview Heights
Louisiana: Covington
Massachusetts: Framingham
Michigan: Grand Rapids, Portage, Saginaw
Minnesota: Duluth, Rochester
Missouri: Brentwood, Bridgeton, St. Louis
Nevada: Reno
North Carolina: Asheville, Hickory
South Carolina: Greenville
Tennessee: Johnson City
Texas: North Richland Hills
Washington: Kennewick, Silverdale
West Virginia: Charleston
Wisconsin: Madison

Information about Gateway stores, including locations and services, can be found on the Gateway website at: http://www.gateway.com/country/.

About Charter Communications

Charter Communications, a Wired World(TM) company, is among the nation's largest broadband communications companies, currently serving some 7 million customers in 40 states. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform marketed under the Charter Digital Cable(R) brand and high-speed Internet access via Charter Pipeline(TM). Commercial high-speed data, video and Internet solutions are provided under the Charter Business Networks(TM) brand. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(TM) brand.

A Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 Company, Charter was the 2001 recipient of the Outstanding Corporate Growth Award from the Association for Corporate Growth, the 2001 R.E. "Ted" Turner Innovator of the Year Award from the Southern Cable Telecommunications Association, and the 2001 Fast 50 Award for Growth from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.

About Gateway

Gateway, Inc. (NYSE:GTW), a personal technology company, improves people's lives through a combination of the latest and best hardware, communication tools, applications, training and service, all wrapped in a custom financing package. The company takes a localized approach, utilizing its Web site, call centers and nationwide network of Gateway retail stores to build direct relationships with consumers, small and medium businesses and government and education institutions. A Fortune 500(R) company founded in 1985, Gateway is ranked as the most admired American company in the Computers and Office Equipment industry in a Fortune magazine survey(1) and is the top brand in customer loyalty and for first-time home computer purchases of Wintel-based PCs(2). For more information, visit Gateway's Web site at www.gateway.com.

(1) Fortune Magazine, "America's Most Admired Companies," February 19, 2001.
(2) From the Harris Interactive Consumer TechPoll(SM) study of 140,000 PC owners who use the Internet, released March 5, 2001.
(3) Franchise fees and taxes apply, even during promotional period. Monthly rates vary according to specific service areas and bandwidth levels. Rates may be $5-$20 higher in some markets for non-Charter cable subscribers. Call 1-800-800-CABLE for complete pricing details in your area. Installation offer only for standard installation of one computer to one data outlet. Offer available to new Charter cable residential customers located in Charter cable wired and serviceable areas only. After promotional period ends, retail rate for 256K or 512K applies. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer available until March 31, 2002. Service may not be available in all areas; some restrictions apply.

CONTACT:
Charter Communications Inc., St. Louis
Andy Morgan, 314/543-2217
amorgan@chartercom.com
or
Gateway, Inc., San Diego
Brad Williams, 858/848-2511
brad.williams@gateway.com

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