Company Opens Second Advanced Data Center in Asia
Undersea Cable Connecting Hong Kong and Japan Expected to be Complete in Second Quarter of 2001
BROOMFIELD, Colo., October 20, 2000 – Level 3 Communications, Inc., (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it is now offering low cost bandwidth services to Internet and communications companies in Japan. Level 3 has opened its first advanced data center in Tokyo that, combined with the company's new Gateway in Hong Kong, gives Level 3 two operational Gateways in Asia.
In addition to these two Asian markets, Level 3 recently announced plans to expand into Taipei, Taiwan and Seoul, Korea by the end of 2001. The Asian expansion is fully pre-funded as part of Level 3's global business plan.
The new 64,000-square-foot advanced data center in Tokyo will connect Level 3's customers directly to the company's global broadband undersea cable system, and to 47 other markets in the United States, Europe and Asia that Level 3 currently serves. Level 3 will connect its Tokyo Gateway to the company's new facility in Hong Kong by an undersea cable, which is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2001.
Additionally, the undersea cable connecting Japan to the United States is expected to be complete in the second quarter of next year as well. "The Internet market in Japan is becoming increasingly more competitive, and speed to market and scalability are keys to being successful there," said Steve Liddell, chief executive officer of Level 3 Asia. "Our goal is to help Internet protocol (IP) intensive companies grow by providing them with immediate access to the global Internet and communications market, and with the ability to scale their operations quickly. Customers who choose to colocate in the Tokyo Gateway will not only enjoy unlimited global IP access around the world, but also access to other products and services that will help to drive down their costs even further," said Liddell.
Level 3's advanced data centers, called "Gateways," are connected to the company's international Internet Protocol-based network. Gateways serve as portals to the network and provide a secure environment in which IP intensive companies can physically locate their equipment. The facilities also house Level 3's own equipment and offer customers interconnection with the public Internet and other long distance networks.
Level 3 currently operates 48 Gateways in the United States, Europe and Asia. The company has more than 4.4 million square feet of data center space around the world, and pre-funded the acquisition and construction of another 2.1 million square feet. Level 3's continuously upgradeable network features advanced technology that provides high quality, low cost services that enable IP intensive businesses to add value and, in turn, deliver their services to end-users, including residential customers. Level 3 enables IP intensive companies to grow more rapidly by providing infrastructure and network services to help meet increasing demand for e-commerce, streaming audio and video, and many other Internet and communications services.
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.
