LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES LOS ANGELES FACILITY
Introduces First Step In Advanced Communications Services For Business Community Los Angeles Kicks-Off Nationwide Rollout of Level 3 Offices
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, October 12, 1998 – Level 3 Communications, (Nasdaq: LVLT), today announced that it will begin providing telecommunications service in Los Angeles as part of a national city roll-out. Level 3 is building the first international network optimized for Internet Protocol technology. The Level 3 Network will combine both local and long distance networks, connecting customers end-to-end across the U.S. and in Europe and Asia.
By the year 2001, the company expects to connect Los Angeles to Level 3's 15,000 mile national communications network. Level 3 has announced it will connect 25 city networks in the U.S. within the next three years. Ultimately, the company plans to connect 50 cities nationwide. "We believe that, over time, we can have a positive impact on the business community and the city as we introduce advanced, more cost effective services, invest in advanced infrastructure in the city, create jobs and contribute to the tax base. We are excited to be here and plan to work hard to earn the trust of the city and to contribute as a corporate citizen," said Steven D. Barbee, Level 3 Los Angeles city director.
The Level 3 office and operations facility is located at 818 West 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles. The 44,000 square foot facility will house the local sales staff, operational staff and gateway switch equipment, along with additional space for expansion and colocation services. Initially, Level 3 plans to employ approximately 35 professionals at the facility. The space was leased through the services of MAS Asset Management Corporation. "Level 3 is positioned to begin providing Los Angeles area businesses with basic, but critical services on a competitive basis," said Barbee. "Initially, Level 3 will use leased network capacity and, as our national IP-based network is completed, we will be able to seamlessly switch our customers to our network. The Level 3 network will bundle a wide array of services, as well as move information more efficiently, at a fraction of current network costs."
"We are witnessing a fundamental technological shift, as important as the shift from the telegraph to the telephone, or from the mainframe to the PC," explained Barbee. "We believe this shift from 100-year-old circuit switching technology to the newer Internet Protocol technology will change the way businesses communicate. Level 3 is now installing the basic building blocks in Los Angeles for the future."
Initial Services Offered
The initial suite of products the company's Los Angeles facility will provide the city's business community include the following services:
Private Lines - a point-to-point service used to provide communications from one company location to another.
Managed Modem - a complete outsourcing solution for Internet dial-up network management.
Telephony Colocation - a state-of-the-art network facility of telephone and Web-hosting equipment to provide reliable and secure 24-hour access for mission critical equipment.
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP services, content delivery and media distribution services. These services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is 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 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 may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements that we make 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 our control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated goals include, but are not limited to our ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on our network; defend our 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 our 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.
