Rural Broadband Access

Level 3 Providing Building Blocks to Expand Rural Broadband Access

Level 3 Issues Request for Proposal (RFP) 7/8/2011
Click Here for More Information

Level 3 Communications was recently awarded $13.7 million in federal grant funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We will commit an additional $4.2 million in matching funds to the NTIA grant for the expansion of rural broadband.

"High-speed Internet and telecommunications services have become a vital part of building businesses and communities," said Sureel Choksi, chief marketing officer of Level 3. "Level 3 is excited to be part of the nationwide effort to improve broadband access for all Americans."

Our nationwide network runs through many of the rural communities targeted for improved broadband across the United States. We plan to use the NTIA grant funding and our own capital to create dozens of new high-speed network access points or middle mile connections in rural areas across six states: California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Tennessee and Texas.

Each new access point on the Level 3 Network will have the capabilities to provide local telephone as well as cable and wireless companies more efficient access to Internet, voice, data and video services with national and international reach. Direct access to the Level 3 Network offers a diverse and competitive alternative to incumbent carriers along with a greater range of services and network redundancy – often a requirement for the expansion of local businesses.

More information about the Level 3 funding award

Learn about working with Level 3

View Middle Mile Connectivity on the Level 3 Network

Targeting Areas for Middle Mile Access
We are looking for last mile providers interested in working with us to expand broadband access in underserved and unserved areas. We are the natural middle-mile provider and a business partner who understands the unique challenges of providing broadband access for last mile providers.

• We operate one of the largest broadband networks in the nation
• Broad national fiber backbone covering 42,000 route miles in North America, with an ability to access the network using fiber or Level 3-owned wireless spectrum
• Deep fiber network footprint in 116 metro markets in North America
• Our network already borders many underserved areas across the country
• We have a long history of flexibly collaborating to reach rural areas
• Build to us: Providers can come to Level 3 using fiber and wireless
• We can build to you: Level 3 can reach you with fiber optic cable
• Our service portfolio includes all of the broadband capabilities service providers and their consumer and enterprise customers require
• High speed Internet access
• Private Networking (Virtual Private Networks, Ethernet, point-to-point dedicated networks, multi-cast video)
• Content Delivery: We aim to provide connectivity to those areas which, up until now, haven't had access to the Internet. For more information, read what Denver, CO, Channel 9 News had to say about these efforts.

Look at what others are saying:

• Level 3 eyeing stimulus funding, Telephony Online, Carol Wilson
• Bringing the Internet to unserved and underserved communities, ColoradoBiz TV, Jen Artley
• Vice President Biden announces the program, USDA

View a list of our target communities for Middle Mile Access or watch a detailed webinar on our Broadband Stimulus Initiatives.

Request for Proposal Information

• RFP #11-0139 Auditing Services for Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) (closes 7/14/2011)
• Review Documents
• Attachment A "Master Services Agreement"
• Attachment B "Program Specific Audit Guidelines for the BTOP Program"
• Attachment C "Circular No. A-133"
• Attachment D "Quick Guide to Understanding Audit Requirements"
• Attachment E "Level 3 EON BTOP Site List"
• Response Documents
• Attachment F "Level 3 Pricing Matrix"
• Attachment G "Supplier Qualification Form"

Questions and Request for Clarification Contact Information

Level 3 Communications, LLC Attn: Scott Thalacker Vendor Manager - Supply Chain Management Mail Stop 44A-422 1025 Eldorado Blvd. Broomfield, CO. 80021 Scott.Thalacker@Level3.com

Level 3 Communications, LLC Attn: Dave Martinez Vendor Manager - Supply Chain Management Mail Stop 44A-418 1025 Eldorado Blvd. Broomfield, CO. 80021 David.Martinez@Level3.com

Nondiscrimination and Interconnection

Level 3 EON, LLC and Level 3 Communications, LLC (together, "Level 3") support the Nondiscrimination and Interconnection obligations for BTOP awardees. Specifically, Level 3:

i. adheres to the principles contained in the FCC's Internet Policy Statement (FCC 05–151, adopted August 5, 2005);

ii. does not favor any lawful Internet applications and content over others;

iii. adheres to the network management policies found at http://www.level3.com/en/Network-Security.aspx;

iv. connects directly to the public Internet directly; and

v. will negotiate interconnection, in good faith, with all parties making a bona fide request, where technically feasible without exceeding current or reasonably anticipated capacity limitations, on reasonable rates and terms.

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