PHOENIX, Ariz., March 21, 2001 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced a new Softswitch customer that is using the company?s Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) service to serve the enterprise market. The new customer, GoBeam, a provider of real-time business communications applications, plans to use Level 3's softswitch-based (3)Voice service to offer IP-based calling, instant messaging and Web conferencing capabilities to enterprises. "Demand for business applications combining the best features of telephone and Internet communications is tremendously strong within the enterprise market," said Ike Elliott, senior vice president of Global Softswitch Services for Level 3. "Our softswitch-based (3)Voice service enables companies like GoBeam to provide robust service to its customers. We formed this relationship with GoBeam because, like Level 3, they are focused on changing the way businesses and end-users communicate."
"This agreement with Level 3 underscores our commitment to continuously provide new communications features including voice, messaging, demand conferencing and collaboration capabilities in the most cost-efficient and time-saving manner possible," said Jeff Stern, executive vice president for GoBeam. "The Level 3 network provides an open, scalable IP-based environment that allows us to deliver the highest quality communications features for voice, video and conferencing to end users."
According to a recent Probe Research study, the IP voice market is expected to grow about 67 percent through 2005. Level 3 now processes more than seven billion minutes per month in softswitch-based IP data and voice calls.
Level 3 has Industry's First SIP-based Voice Network
Level 3's enhanced IP voice service is the industry's first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based IP voice service. SIP is an open, scalable Internet-based standard that initiates voice, video, interactive games, virtual reality, and other communication over IP networks. Since its designation as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), SIP has emerged as the premier signaling system for merging telephony services with the Internet to create whole new classes of enhanced session-based communications services. Level 3 continues to develop its SIP-based VoIP interoperability program, (3)Works, through partnerships with IP voice technology companies like dynamicsoft and Aravox Technologies.
About Softswitch Technology
Pioneered and co-developed by Level 3, a softswitch is computer software that emulates the functions of traditional voice circuit switches to control and process calls over a communications network. Similar to a computer operating system, softswitches feature an open platform on which developers and Level 3 customers can build innovative and specialized applications that make communications less expensive and more productive. Level 3 made today's announcement at the Spring Voice On the Net (VON) 2001 Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., where Level 3 CEO Jim Crowe and Ike Elliott are giving keynote addresses. Level 3 is marketing its softswitch-based (3)Voice services at the March 20-23 conference in booth # 423.
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.
