Service Leverages Economics, Operational Capabilities of Level 3’s Patented Softswitch Platform
BROOMFIELD, Colo., October 20, 2003 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced that it has launched a new remote access service for businesses in the U.S.
Called “eRASSM,” the new service leverages the economic and performance advantages of Level 3’s patented softswitch platform, along with the operational expertise the company has developed as a leading provider of dial-up Internet access for the top Internet service providers in the world.
eRAS enables businesses to connect employees, customers, and partners to corporate intranets, extranets, and the Internet from virtually anywhere in the world with greater reliability and at lower cost than other commercially available services. Level 3 plans to market the service through channel partners and other third-party resellers.
“The launch of eRAS further underscores our focus on leveraging our existing softswitch platform to offer new services that take advantage of market opportunities, wherever they may exist,” said Jack Waters, president of Global Softswitch Services for Level 3. “Just like our managed modem customers, eRAS customers will benefit from Level 3’s industry-leading call completion rates, flexible pricing options, and local geographic coverage that encompasses approximately 93 percent of the U.S. population.”
eRAS is ideally suited for medium and large enterprises with branch offices and large populations of mobile users and telecommuters traveling in and outside of the U.S. The new service offers customers the unique V.92 feature, which helps bridge the gap between “always on” broadband and dial-up connections by allowing users to put the modem on hold during a data connection to simultaneously receive or initiate a voice call over the same line.
“eRAS is a highly customizable offering,” said Dennis Kyle, vice president of Global Softswitch Services for
Level 3. “It provides enterprise customers with options such as a private-label dialer client and the ability to integrate with most major virtual private network (VPN) platforms, including Level 3’s managed VPN service.”
eRAS Features and Benefits
In addition to extensive geographic coverage, high call completion rates and V.92 technology, Level 3’s enterprise remote access service also features:
Introductory Offer
For a limited time, Level 3 is offering a price incentive to businesses currently using another remote access service provider. Through December 31, 2003, Level 3 will decrease the domestic access charges for businesses using a comparable service by as much as 25 percent. Additionally, Level 3 is offering a new volume-based pricing structure that reduces the cost-per-hour of the service as the customer’s usage increases.
The Softswitch Advantage
Level 3 was the first carrier in the world to incorporate softswitch technology as a fundamental part of its network architecture. The Level 3 network features co-carrier facilities that cover approximately 93 percent of the U.S. population and a patented softswitch platform that handles more than 20 billion minutes of dial-up traffic per month.
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.
