BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 19, 2002 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced a multi-year agreement to supply optical wavelength services to America Online, Inc.
Specifically, Level 3 is providing America Online with (3)Link Global Wavelength services in Europe on major routes connecting London to Paris, Paris to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to London with 2.5 gigabit service, as well as 10 gigabit service on Level 3's transatlantic undersea cable between London and New York.
"Level 3's instant provisioning capabilities are leading the industry with cost effective optical connectivity provided at the customer's schedule," said Mark J. Muehl, vice president of Internet Operations for America Online. "We're pleased to expand our relationship through this agreement."
"These agreements add to our ongoing relationship with America Online and underscore the value of our optical services," said Brady Rafuse, president for Level 3 in Europe. "We appreciate the confidence and commitment that America Online has demonstrated and believe the value of our technically advanced backbone and low cost structure is becoming more evident."
Level 3 turned up the Paris to Frankfurt connection using its proprietary On-Net Transport Activation Process (ONTAP) provisioning system. This proprietary system enables delivery of wavelength and private line services when customers request them, rather than in the weeks or months that it typically takes to deliver these transport services in the telecommunications industry. ONTAP allows customers to tie their network purchases directly to revenue opportunities, rather than basing their orders on speculative long-term projections. Level 3 has been recognized as an industry leader in transport service delivery. The industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan presented Level 3 with its Market Engineering Award, calling ONTAP "a major customer service differentiation" for the company.
Level 3 currently offers service in nine major European markets and is expanding to eight additional markets across Western Europe in 2002. The new markets are Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Stockholm and Zurich, and the German cities of Cologne, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. Once the expansion is complete, Level 3 will be able to deliver services to 17 of the top markets on the continent.
Level 3's existing, two-ring network in Europe spans 3,600 route miles. It connects London, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris and the German cities of Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin and Munich. The company also operates multi-conduit metropolitan networks and colocation centers in all nine markets.
Level 3 offers a range of communications services targeted toward the world's top 300 bandwidth customers, including wavelengths, private line, dark fiber, managed modem and IP services.
About (3)Link Global Wavelength
With (3)Link Global Wavelength, companies purchase single or multiple wavelengths on any of Level 3's North American, transatlantic and European network routes. Level 3 terminates the wavelengths at on-net customer facilities, where customers can interconnect with the wavelength using their existing SONET, IP or ATM equipment, thereby reducing their network costs, shortening their time to market, and maintaining network control.
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.
