Level 3 to Provide High Speed Internet Access with Multiple Full-Rate 10 GigE Ports
Level 3 Launches 10 GigE LAN PHY Wavelength Service
BOSTON, Mass., September 12, 2006 ¾ Level 3 Communications Content Markets group today announced it has been selected by YouTube to support the company’s rapidly growing online video entertainment service. Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 will provide Level 3® High Speed Internet Access and Wavelengths via Multiple 10 gigabits per second (10GigE) ports. Level 3 will also provide 10 GigE LAN PHY wavelength service across a nationwide footprint connecting YouTube’s data centers.
“We selected Level 3 because we needed a carrier with a highly advanced, stable, scalable network and a service portfolio that would enable us to manage the magnitude of growth that we continue to experience with more than 100 million videos being watched per day on our site,” said Steve Chen, chief technology officer and co-founder at YouTube.
“We admire YouTube’s creative innovation and are excited to help facilitate their rapid traffic growth,” said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3 Content Markets group. “Level 3’s Network was built for bandwidth-intensive applications like video, and this agreement with YouTube is a prime example of the larger trend we’re seeing for increased capacity demand.”
10GigE LAN PHY, a dedicated Ethernet point-to-point service, is now available as a standard enhancement to the Level 3 intercity wavelength service. The service is available across the majority of Level 3's fiber-based network in the United States and in Europe, including extensions to key metropolitan points of presence. With its 10GigE LAN PHY offering, Level 3 enables customers to leverage cost-effective and familiar Ethernet technology to build and grow large IP backbones or storage networks.
“Level 3 is a leading provider of wavelength and other high capacity services, and 10GigE LAN PHY services are a natural extension to our service offerings,” said Rafuse. “Customers can immediately take advantage of Level 3’s early network investment in new technology, as well as our extensive coverage in North America and Europe.”
Level 3 has continuously invested in its network, and with one of the world’s largest IP backbones, the company provides reliable high capacity to meet growing demand from customers with rich media traffic. The company offers Internet connectivity in 82 key markets in addition to a comprehensive suite of network services that serve as building blocks for its customers’ diverse service offerings. Level 3 has the scalability, performance, and service portfolio to support rich media content delivery solutions as its customers’ network needs evolve.
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.
