United Online Expands its Relationship with Level 3 to Include VoIP Services for Dial-Up and Broadband Subscribers
BROOMFIELD, Colo., December 14, 2005 — Level 3 Communications (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced that it has been selected by United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services, to provide underlying telecommunications services for United Online’s new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, NetZero Voice. NetZero Voice was launched in November 2005.
NetZero Voice Internet phone service works with virtually any Internet Service Provider (ISP) service, dial-up or broadband, and allows global dial-up users, including an estimated 45 million in the United States, the opportunity to enjoy Internet phone calling, which has previously been available predominantly for broadband. Features include:
“Level 3 continues to be a great partner for us and was a natural choice to provide telecom services for NetZero Voice. Their sophisticated network and expertise in VoIP solutions should help us provide the quality services our customers demand,” said Henry Kim, vice president, telecom services for United Online. “We believe in the future of VoIP and with NetZero Voice are excited to offer all Internet users, on broadband or dial-up, easy-to-use and low-cost Internet calling options.”
Under the terms of the multiyear agreement, Level 3 provides United Online with (3)VoIPSM Local Inbound Service and (3)Voice® Termination. Level 3 operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world and provides the network infrastructure to support VoIP services for ISPs, as well as cable operators, carriers, and other companies eager to deploy high-quality, quick-to-market solutions. Level 3 has competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) status in all 50 states and has the network infrastructure to provide consumer VoIP service in markets covering approximately 69 percent of all U. S. households.
“Our continued work with United Online, including the launch of NetZero Voice, affirms Level 3’s leadership in driving VoIP solutions and in supporting new services offered by our market-leading customers,” said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local services for Level 3. “We look forward to working with United Online to deliver this new service. With our combined strengths – the Level 3 network and United Online’s Internet services and subscriber base - we have the opportunity to reach millions of dial-up and broadband subscribers.”
About United Online
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services through a number of brands, including NetZero, NetZero Voice, Juno, and Classmates. The company's services include Internet access, social networking services, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, premium email, personal web hosting and domain services, and photo-sharing services. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York City, NY, Renton, WA, San Francisco, CA, Orem, UT, Munich, Germany, Jarfalla, Sweden, and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online and its Internet services, please visit www.untd.com.
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.
