Nordic Research and Education Network Services Provider Purchases Two 2.5 Gbit IP Ports
LONDON, Dec. 16, 2002 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) announced today that it has been selected by NORDUnet to provide Internet access service to research and education networks throughout Scandinavia. Level 3 is providing NORDUnet with two 2.5Gbit IP ports from diverse locations in Stockholm.
With over one million end users in the Nordic countries, NORDUnet A/S is responsible for the development and operation of the Nordic research network backbone, NORDUnet. NORDUnet deploys modern networking equipment and is among the most advanced research network backbones in the world. NORDUnet A/S is a limited company owned by government institutions within higher education in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Under the agreement, NORDUnet will use (3)CrossRoads service, a wholesale Internet access platform that connects Level 3's customers and network with the networks that comprise the public Internet.
"We selected Level 3 because it fulfills the requirements for cost effectiveness, quality and reliability needed for our Commodity Internet services, targeted at research and education networks in the Nordics," said General Manager Peter Villemoes, NORDUnet A/S. "We are delighted to have been chosen by an organisation such as NORDUnet," commented Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3 in Europe. "NORDUnet is one of a number of research and education customers using our network, which is a fitting testament to the superior technology and quality of our infrastructure. We look forward to working with them."
Level 3 recently expanded its network in to seven new European markets, including Stockholm, and has signed a number of new customers in each. Level 3 operates a 10-gigabit IP backbone that spans 56 North American markets and 16 European markets and is accessible from more than 500 traffic aggregation points.
Level 3 has achieved a superior cost structure and class of service capability by being the first network to leverage MPLS technology consistently throughout the core. Scalable interconnection capacity with every major IP backbone provider ensures uncongested connectivity to the global Internet
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.
