1,900-Mile Multi-Conduit Ring Connects London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels
BROOMFIELD, Colo., September 8, 2000 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has completed conduit construction and installed fiber in Ring 1 of its 4,750-mile inter-city fiber optic network in Europe. The 1,900-mile Ring 1 features 10-12 conduits connecting Level 3 data centers in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels.
Level 3's new European network is connected to the company's own metropolitan networks in each of these five cities. Level 3 expects to complete construction of its second European network, which will connect Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, before the end of the year. Each of Level 3's European networks will be connected to the company's 16,000-mile U.S. network via a 1.28 terabit transatlantic cable system.
"Including Ring 1 in Europe, we've now completed more than 90 percent of our intercity conduit installation in North America and Europe," said Lee Jobe, president of global operations for Level 3. "Level 3 designed its multi-conduit network so it can install new generations of fiber more quickly and at lower incremental cost than traditional networks can. This approach enables us to further solidify our industry-leading unit cost advantage for bandwidth services."
Level 3 designed its European networks to be continuously upgradeable. Constructed with multiple conduits, this network allows Level 3 and its customers to take advantage of ongoing improvements in optical fiber technology. Initially, Level 3 will put fiber in just one of the conduits. As new optical fiber technology is introduced in the market, Level 3 can install it through one of the company's many empty conduits rather than having to reconstruct the network from the ground up, as many traditional network operators are forced to do.
"The Level 3 network will play a major role in enabling the development of the new Internet economy in Europe," said Colin Williams, executive vice president of Level 3 Communications. "We expect to be able to drive down communications costs substantially, which in turn will continue to drive both demand for communications services and new applications whose successful development depends on removing the current cost constraint of transporting information."
Level 3's European network will carry data, video and voice traffic from Internet service providers (ISPs), application service providers (ASPs), and other Internet and communications companies. "We've broken new frontiers in deploying the first large, multi-conduit independent infrastructure-based network in Europe," said Williams.
(*Softswitches are advanced software based switching systems that enable Level 3 to provide services combining the best features of the Internet and traditional telephone networks.)
About Level 3's Metropolitan Networks
Connected by intercity fiber optic networks in the United States and Europe, as well as undersea cables crossing the Atlantic, Pacific and in Asia, Level 3 currently offers service over metropolitan networks in 43 U.S. and European markets. Of those cities, Level 3 has built and operates its own metropolitan networks in 26 U.S. markets and 5 European markets.
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.
