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Level 3 Launches Expansion of Data Networking Services in U.S. And Europe

Posted on: Monday, 21 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

CHICAGO, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. today launched an important expansion of its suite of data networking services in the U.S. and Europe. The company made the announcement at SUPERCOMM 2004, an annual symposium that is produced and managed by the Telecommunications Industry Association.

Level 3's IP VPN service -- which currently serves a number of large strategic customers -- is being expanded through channel partners to the enterprise market. Additionally, as part of the expansion announced today, Level 3 has enhanced its wide-area Ethernet, ATM and Frame Relay data networking offerings by adding new lower speed data services.

"Level 3 owns and operates one of the largest and most advanced MPLS backbones in the world, which has allowed us to build industry-leading experience and proficiency in developing reliable, scalable and cost-effective IP-based services," said Scott Schaefer, group vice president of IP and Data Services for Level 3. "This expansion enables our channel partners to provide additional value to their end-user business customers by reselling a converged set of voice, video and data services."

"Our suite of IP-based data networking services enables the replacement of multiple networks with a single, more cost-efficient network for a wide range of applications, including corporate wide area networks, voice services, disaster recovery networks, video distribution networks and IP backbones," added Schaefer. "And they do so with the same quality and class of service as traditional ATM data networking services."

Level 3's MPLS-based (3)Flex(SM) Data Services provide a fully meshed, secure network with end-to-end, customer-controlled prioritization of traffic. Level 3 is an MPLS pioneer, having led the standards development of the technology beginning in 1998, and has been providing one of the first MPLS- based transport services since 1999.

"With the IP VPN expansion, Level 3 channel partners can now provide their business customers with an extensive and advanced set of voice and data services," said Glenn Russo, senior vice president of Channel Programs for Level 3. "And they can resell and provide these services using the technologically and economically superior Level 3 network, the only network that was built from the ground up to deliver converged IP telecommunications services."

(3)Flex Data Services

The (3)Flex family of data services, which includes (3)Flex Ethernet, (3)Flex ATM, (3)Flex Frame Relay, and (3)Flex Network IP VPN, reduces costs and simplifies the task of transporting voice, video and data across wide area networks (WANs). The four services currently provide secure video, voice and data transmission to and from more than 90 markets in the U.S. and Europe.

(3)Flex data services offer a number of distinct advantages, including:

* Flexibility: The MPLS-based long-haul (or WAN) data services can

interface directly with a variety of legacy corporate data networking

protocols, including ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet.

* Cost efficiency: MPLS-based data services are generally billed on a

usage basis and are distance insensitive. Customers can send data from

Dallas to Paris as cost effectively as from Dallas to Houston.

* Reliability and security: (3)Flex services enable the establishment of

flexible and secure intranets, extranets and remote access networks.

* Network convergence: (3)Flex services provide a platform for converging

voice, video and data onto one network.

(3)Flex Network IP VPN Service

The (3)Flex Network IP VPN service allows businesses to securely and cost- effectively connect their headquarters, satellite and remote office sites, and enables them to send voice, video and desktop application traffic while also providing secure access to company intranets and extranets. Enterprises can achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies by consolidating traffic that currently rides on different networks.

-- The IP VPN service is by default fully meshed to facilitate peer-to-

peer applications like VoIP and video conferencing.

-- It provides one of the industry's leading SLAs, including jitter and

packet latency, for its three Class of Service options.

-- The MPLS-based, IP VPN network is separate from the Internet, resulting

in security similar to Frame Relay and ATM.

-- Level 3 provides end-to-end Class of Service for its IP VPN offering

that spans customer sites and the Level 3 backbone network.

Bandwidth is scaleable from T-1/E1 to OC-48/STM-16, but customers are charged only for what they use, providing them with bandwidth flexibility free of rigid financial commitments.

Just as the company does with its (3)Tone(SM) Business, Internet access and other services, Level 3 will provide (3)Flex Network IP VPN channel partners with operational, sales and marketing support through the Level(3)Enabled(SM) partner program.

For more information about Level 3's data networking services, please visit http://www.level3.com/1505.html. For more information on the Level(3)Enabled partner program , please visit http://www.level3.com/Partner.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 is an international communications and information services company. The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, is one of the largest providers of wholesale dial-up service to ISPs in North America and is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of broadband subscribers, through its cable and DSL partners. The company offers a wide range of communications services over its 22,500 mile broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, and patented Softswitch managed modem and voice services. Its Web address is http://www.level3.com/.

The company offers information services through its subsidiaries, Software Spectrum and (i)Structure. For additional information, visit their respective Web sites at http://www.softwarespectrum.com/ and http://www.i-structure.com/.

The Level 3 logo is a registered service mark and (3)Flex and Level(3)Enabled are service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. (3)Tone is a service mark of Level 3 Enhanced Services, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. (3)Flex and the Level(3)Enabled partner program are offered by Level 3 Communications, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Level 3 Communications, Inc. (3)Tone Business services are offered by Level 3 Enhanced Services, LLC, also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Forward Looking Statement

Some of the statements made by Level 3 in this press release are forward- looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Level 3 believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the overall economy relating to, among other things, the September 11 attacks and subsequent events, substantial capital requirements; development of effective internal processes and systems; the ability to attract and retain high quality employees; technology; the number and size of competitors in its markets; law and regulatory policy; and the mix of products and services offered in the company's target markets. 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 release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990721/LVLTLOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Level 3 Communications

CONTACT: Media, Josh Howell, +1-720-888-2517, or Paul Lonnegren,+1-720-888-6099, or Investors, Robin Grey, +1-720-888-2518, or SandraCurlander, +1-720-888-2501, all of Level 3

Web site: http://www.level3.com/Partner

Web site: http://www.level3.com/1505.html

Web site: http://www.level3.com/

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