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Open Range Teams With Level 3 to Deliver Wireless Broadband to Rural America

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 05:00 CDT

Level 3 Expands Network Access Across North America to Close the Digital Divide

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced an agreement with Open Range Communications to deliver wireless broadband to rural communities. Open Range will leverage Level 3's extended on-net services to offer high-speed Internet and voice services to millions of previously un-served or underserved communities across North America.

Extended on-net services provide access to the Level 3 network in rural locations along the 42,000 route miles that span North America. Direct access to the network outside of major metropolitan markets enables Level 3 to pick-up or deliver traffic at more locations, providing local carriers, cable operators and wireless companies with additional on-ramps to the Level 3 network.

"The Level 3 network travels through many of the rural communities that we want to connect to the world with wireless broadband," said Bill Beans, Jr., chief executive officer and founder of Open Range. "Level 3's expansive network footprint and direct network access provide the foundation to enable Internet communications for more and more Americans."

Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 will provide the network infrastructure for Open Range to offer wireless broadband through 4G WiMAX networks in more than 500 communities in 17 states. Traffic will then be routed over the Level 3 network to enable quality online communications for as many as six million Americans.

"Level 3 is pleased to partner with Open Range in this vital initiative to bring wireless broadband to rural America," said Peter Neill, senior vice president for Level 3's Wholesale Markets Group. "Access to broadband communications is an important economic tool at an important time in our nation's history. Level 3 is well positioned to partner with communications companies across the country to break down barriers to broadband access and close the digital divide."

Extended on-net services offer direct access to the Level 3 network and services across North America. Expanded access provides customers with greater routing flexibility, efficient network expansion, improved connectivity and reduced costs.

About Open Range

Open Range is a broadband wireless provider using WiMAX technology to deliver wireless broadband to un-served and underserved rural American communities. Open Range plans to deliver portable and eventually mobile voice and Internet services to customers within its robust WiMAX footprint. In January 2009, Open Range announced a $100 million investment by One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase and the closing of a Broadband Access Loan previously approved by the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program (RDUP) for $267 million. The combined funding will allow Open Range to build 4G WiMAX networks in 546 communities in 17 states where the Company will offer high speed Internet and voice services to approximately six million people. For more information, visit www.openrangecomm.com.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.

Level 3 Communications, Level 3, the red 3D brackets and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service, product or company names recited herein are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to the company's ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on the network; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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