AOL Time Warner and Sony collaborate to accelerate next- generation online entertainment and other consumer broadband experiences * Companies to jointly develop

LAS VEGAS, Nov 13 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - AOL Time Warner Inc.and Sony Corporation today announced an agreement to expand theirstrategic relationship, joining together on a range ofinitiatives to create a new open broadband home networkingenvironment that will allow for delivery of next-generationonline entertainment and other consumer experiences. Thecompanies will work together to develop easy-to-use homenetworking technologies that will enable consumers to enjoy avariety of content and services.The initiatives announced today will combine AOL Time Warner'shallmark ability to deliver the highest degree of convenience andease-of-use through the online medium with Sony's leadership inconsumer electronics. They reflect a common vision of howbroadband services and home networks can empower consumers toenjoy a variety of new network services simply through a widerange of connected home entertainment devices such astelevisions, audio equipment, and other electronic devices.To achieve this vision, the two companies have agreed to createthe open broadband environment jointly, and to work together on anumber of initiatives including:- The joint development of broadband home networking gatewaytechnologies that will enable consumers to take advantage of awide range of new online entertainment and other experiences,easily accessing broadband services from multiple PCs and otherdevices simultaneously, as well as sharing stored entertainmentcontent among multiple devices with proper copyright management;- The joint development of an Internet browser designed foroptimal performance, a consistent experience, and greaterconvenience on networked consumer electronic devices. Bothcompanies envision not only employing the browser in future Sonyproducts but also making it available to other consumerelectronics manufacturers;- The joint exploration of AOL providing access service forSony's networked consumer electronics devices in the U.S., whichwould make it possible to extend consumers' networkingexperiences beyond personal computers.Steve Case, chairman of AOL Time Warner said: "Consumers wantthe Internet to play a greater role in their lives, and arelooking forward to the day when broadband can deliver all of afamily's home entertainment, information and communication needsover a wide variety of devices. By working closely with Sony, oneof the world's most innovative companies and a leader in homeelectronics, we will develop connected products and services forthe digital household that are easy to install and easy to use.Working together, we can help make the promise of convergence areality, benefiting consumers and accelerating the growth of ourindustries."Jerry Levin, chief executive officer of AOL Time Warner said:"This partnership advances two of AOL Time Warner's mostimportant initiatives. Making home networking easy will enhancethe value of our AOL High-Speed Broadband offerings, which areenjoying great momentum as we continue our rollout over TimeWarner Cable systems from coast to coast, as well as on the DSLand satellite platforms. And this new networked homeenvironment will be a major step forward for our AOL Anywherestrategy - giving consumers who've made going online a centralpart of their daily lives new ways to take advantage of theservice's convenience wherever they are, whenever they want."Nobuyuki Idei, chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation said: "Sonyhas always offered new lifestyles since it was founded throughthe pursuit of personal entertainment and allowing people tofulfil their dreams. In the coming broadband network era, Sonyhopes to continue creating new lifestyles by providing attractivehardware and content, as well as strengthening our relationshipwith customers by creating a community of users who sharecommon values and interests. Sony sells over 100 million unitsof consumer electronic devices every year, and by having theseproducts network-ready, it will be possible for users to access avariety of content services. Through the collaboration we will beable to accelerate the realisation of a broadband environment."Kunitake Ando, president and COO of Sony Corporation, said: "Inorder to make our Ubiquitous 'Value' Network a reality, Sonypromotes the strength of a hardware platform that connectscustomers to content and services. We are extremely pleased toannounce this collaboration with AOL Time Warner, Inc. to buildan open broadband networking environment, which we feel will leadto the faster acceptance of Sony's vision of a Ubiquitous'Value' Network. Combining Sony's core competencies in creatinghardware and new lifestyle, with AOL Time Warner's expertise incontents and service management experience as the most popularInternet Service Provider in the U.S. with over 31 millionsubscribers worldwide, will facilitate the development of theUbiquitous 'Value' Network. We believe this collaboration willoffer consumers an enhanced broadband experience and create newbusiness opportunities for the whole industry."These agreements specify that the two company's relationships arenon-exclusive, and that the network software and services to bedeveloped will have an open architecture. About AOL Time WarnerAOL Time Warner (NYSE:AOL) is the world's first Internet-poweredmedia and communications company, whose industry-leadingbusinesses include interactive services, cable systems,publishing, music, TV networks and filmed entertainment. About SonySony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game,communications and information technology products for theconsumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures,computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquelypositioned to be a leading personal broadband entertainmentcompany in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales ofnearly $60 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.Sony's Home Page URL: http://www.world.sony.comPress Contacts:AOL Time Warner, Inc.Ed AdlerTel: +1-212-484-6630Email: Edward.Adler@aoltw.comAOL Time Warner, Inc.Tricia PrimroseTel: +1-212-484-7450Email:Primrose@AOLTW.comSony Corporation Corporate CommunicationsAki ShimazuTel: +81-3-5448-2200Email: Aki.Shimazu@jp.sony.comSony Europe Corporate CommunicationsMatthias ColliTel: +49-30-2575-5158Email: Matthias.Colli@eu.sony.com

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