SUPERIOR ESSEX Establishes Strategic Supply Alliance with Alltel Communications Products Inc.

SUPERIOR ESSEX., March 9, 2000 - Superior TeleCom Inc. (SUT: NYSE), through its <%=company%> Communications Group, announced today that it has entered into a 3-year contract and strategic supply alliance with ALLTEL Communications Products Inc. for the supply of fiber optic cable, outside plant copper cable, and of premises wiring products. ALLTEL Communications Products, a subsidiary of ALLTEL Inc., is the sole source of communications product procurement for ALLTEL Inc., and is also a value added reseller of communications products to independent telephone, CLEC, CATV, utility, and datacom markets throughout North America and the Caribbean. This contract significantly expands the business between SUPERIOR ESSEX and ALLTEL Communications Products.

SUPERIOR ESSEX manufactures a broad line of fiber optic and copper cable products. The fiber optic cables in the agreement with ALLTEL Communications Products Inc. include products designed for outside plant applications and premises (indoor) applications. Copper cable and wire products included in this agreement cover the full line of outside plant and premises products up to and including Category 6 premises cable. SUPERIOR ESSEX fiber optic and copper cables are tested to and comply with Bellcore, RUS and TIA/EIA standards.

"After years of steady gains in our business with ALLTEL Communications Products, we are pleased to move this relationship to a strategic level with such a fast-growing and dynamic company," said Justin Deedy, President of SUPERIOR ESSEX Communications Group. "Our ability to supply Alltel with virtually all of its premises and outside plant copper and fiber optic cable needs will lower their total costs and allow us to mutually focus on expanding our businesses."

"ALLTEL Communications Products has succeeded in telecom and datacom distribution by excelling in its performance and by providing the best combination of products and system solutions," said Scott Chesbro, president of ALLTEL Communications Products. "It is critical to our growth plans that we align ourselves with suppliers who can also outperform their competition on these fronts, and SUPERIOR ESSEX has demonstrated to us that they can."

SUPERIOR ESSEX is the marketing name for Superior Telecommunications Inc., a subsidiary of Superior TeleCom Inc., the largest North American wire and cable manufacturer and the fourth largest wire and cable manufacturer in the world. Superior manufactures a broad portfolio of products with primary applications in the communications, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and electrical wire and cable markets. The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of communications wire and cable products to telephone companies, distributors and system integrators; magnet wire for motors, transformers, generators and electrical controls; and building and industrial wire for applications in construction, appliances, recreational vehicles and industrial facilities.

ALLTEL provides communications services to more than 8.5 million customers in 25 states and has information services clients in 55 countries and territories. ALLTEL is a customer-focused, information technology company that provides wireline and wireless communications and information services.