Microsoft Selects Level 3 to be a Major Provider of Colocation and IP Services for New Online Video Game Service in North America and Europe
BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 22, 2002 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has signed agreements to provide multiple broadband infrastructure services to Microsoft Corp. for its new online video game service, XboxTM Live.
The agreements make Level 3 a major provider of network services in North America and Europe for Xbox Live, which is scheduled to debut this fall. Under the terms of the agreements, Level 3 will provide (3)Center Colocation, (3)CrossRoads Internet access, and (3)Packet MPLS Private Network (MPN) services to Xbox Live.
"We chose Level 3 because its network infrastructure gives us the premium performance, scalability and flexibility we need to provide Xbox Live gamers in North America and Europe with the most intense and robust online gaming experience in the world," said J Allard, General Manager, Xbox Platform for Microsoft.
Xbox is Microsoft’s new, future-generation video game system. Launched last fall, Xbox is designed to deliver the most powerful experiences ever to gaming enthusiasts. The video game system is powered by a 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor and includes 64 megabytes of memory, a DVD player, a hard drive and a built-in Ethernet port for online game play.
"Xbox is an extremely powerful and innovative video game system," said Jack Waters, chief technology officer for Level 3. "We look forward to help bring the many innovative Xbox games to an online environment where gamers in many different countries can enjoy their experiences together at the same time. Online gaming is one of the applications that we envisioned enabling when we first began to develop what we believe is the world’s most advanced and highest performing broadband network."
Microsoft plans to launch Xbox Live in North America, Europe, and Japan this fall and will begin its consumer beta program in North America. Xbox Live will support five exclusive games at launch, and more than a dozen by the end of 2002, including "Unreal Championship" (Infogrames), NFL 2K3 (Sega), and "MechAssaultTM,"
"Whacked!TM," and "NFL Fever 2003" (Microsoft Games Studio). By the end of 2003, at least 50 Xbox Live-enabled games are scheduled to be available worldwide.
Level 3 Colocation and IP Services
With colocation facilities in 57 U.S. markets and 9 European markets - and local and long haul networks connecting them together - Level 3’s colocation customers are able to achieve an ‘instant presence’ in virtually all major markets in the U.S. and Europe. (3)CrossRoads provides connectivity to Level 3’s IP network spanning the U.S. and Europe. The Level 3 IP network is uniquely positioned to deliver customers the highest quality of service through its robust, direct connectivity to the majority of the largest broadband and dial-up end users on the Internet.
(3)Packet MPLS Private Networks (MPN) is an MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) based data transport service that offers Ethernet, ATM and Frame Relay access into Level 3's managed wide area network. Customers can purchase (3)Packet in any of Level 3’s markets in the U.S. and Europe to build wide area networks with guaranteed class of service options. (3)Packet is a highly scalable and flexible alternative to traditional transport services.
About Xbox
Xbox is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia. More information on Xbox can be found at www.xbox.com.
(3)CrossRoads, (3)Center Colocation and (3)Packet are service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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.
