Corning to Supply Fibers to Alcoa

CORNING, N.Y., May 3 -- Corning Inc. and Alcoa Inc. have announced a strategic agreement for the supply of Corning optical fiber to Alcoa's AFL Telecommunications business through 2005.

The multimillion-kilometer agreement, worth more than $100 million, ensures an increasing volume of Corning LEAF, MetroCor, SMF-28, SMF-28eand InfiniCor fibers to AFL Telecommunications each year to cover its worldwide fiber requirements.

AFL Telecommunications will use Corning's optical fiber to manufacture optical ground wire, all-dielectric self-supporting cable and other fiber optic cables, primarily for use in networks for the power utility market. The agreement also includes purchase of any new Corning optical fibers as they become commercially available. The two companies have had a long-term supply relationship for more than 15 years