LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LEADS COUNCIL TO DEFINE NEW STANDARDS FOR NETWORK INTERCONNECTION
Industry Wide Council to Develop Bridge Between Traditional Circuit-Switched Networks and Emerging Internet Protocol (IP) Networks
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, June 22, 1998 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced the formation of a new technical advisory council (TAC) with a charter to develop a set of technical standards to bridge between current circuit-based public switched telephone networks (PSTN) and emerging Internet Protocol (IP) based networks. The TAC brings together leading communications hardware and software companies from across the industry.
Founding members of the TAC include 3Com Corporation, Alcatel Telecom, Ascend Communications, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Level 3 Communications, Lucent Technologies, Nortel (Northern Telecom), Selsius Systems, Stratus Computer, Tekelec, and Vertical Networks.
"The significance of the TAC lies in the desire to provide customers with the best of both the traditional public switched telephone networks and the newer IP networks," said James Q. Crowe, president and CEO of Level 3. "To do this, a new set of standards is needed that will allow the seamless integration of these two types of networks. Such integration will enable customers to benefit from the lower cost of IP network services, including voice and fax, without modifying existing telephone and fax equipment or dialing access codes."
Range of Technical Issues Addressed The TAC's work centers on defining the requirements for controlling a new generation of integrated network access servers. When implemented, the new, open, and interoperable protocol standards will enable external control and management of data communications equipment operating at the edge of emerging multi-service packet networks. The protocol will initially support voice-over-IP, modem dialup, and circuit interface services. Carrier-class products developed by members of the TAC, and based on the agreed protocol, are expected to be available by the end of 1998.
Members of the TAC presented their protocol requirements to experts from ITU-T Study Group 16, originators of the H.323 standard upon which Internet telephony is based, who met in Cannes earlier this month. A similar presentation was made to the ETSI TIPHON project on Internet telephony in Helsinki last week. A draft submission to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is in preparation. The TAC plans to submit its final proposal to each of these standards bodies for adoption.
About the TAC Member Companies
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers worldwide. The company provides large enterprise, small and medium enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers with comprehensive, innovative information access products and system solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3Com.com or the press site at www.3Com.com/pressbox.
Alcatel is a world leader in telecommunications systems and equipment with operations in over 130 countries. It provides complete solutions and services ranging from backbone networks to user terminals for operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers. Alcatel Alsthom, to be renamed Alcatel, has been up to now a multi-business company with revenues of $31 billion in 1997. It is currently reshaping its portfolio on its core business, telecom and cables, with a dedicated revenue of $23 billion in 1997. For more information, visit Alcatel via the Web at: www.alcatel.com or the U.S. Web site at www.usa.alcatel.com.
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide. For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at www.cisco.com.
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 Countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications. Ericsson can be reached on the World Wide Web at www.ericsson.com.
Level 3 is a communications and information services company that is building the first international network optimized for Internet technology. The Level 3 Network will combine both local and long distance networks, connecting customers end-to-end across the U.S. and Europe. The company expects to complete the U.S. intercity portion of the network by the first quarter of 2001. In the interim, Level 3 has signed an agreement to lease a national network over which it will be able to begin offering services in the third quarter of 1998. Level 3 will provide a full range of communications services – including local, long distance, international and Internet services. Level 3's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol LVLT. Its World Wide Web address is www.Level3.com.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronics components. More information about Lucent is available on its Web site at www.lucent.com.
Nortel's (Northern Telecom's) optical networking solutions are IP-optimized to deliver global Web-based services. In fact, more than 75 percent of North American Internet traffic is carried over Nortel optical networking equipment. Nortel works with customers in more than 150 countries to design, build and integrate their communications products and advanced digital networks. Customers include public and private institutions; Internet service providers; local, long-distance, cellular mobile and PCS communications companies; cable television companies; and utilities. Web site: www.nortel.com.
Founded in July of 1997, Selsius Systems designs, develops and delivers the industry's first IP-based H.323 PBX System. Our vision positions the IP network as the vehicle for deploying and managing standards-based voice services. The Selsius-IP PBX allows customers to migrate their voice requirements to an IP network, at their own pace, without disrupting their current PBX environment. Our products include the Selsius Call-Manager, an NT-resident software PBX, the Selsius-Phone, which is the industry's first Ethernet IP phone, and Selsius-Access, a family of IP-to-circuit switched analog and digital gateways. Selsius can be reached on the World Wide Web at www.selsius.com.
Based in Marlboro, Massachusetts, Stratus Computer, Inc. (NYSE:SRA) is the premier supplier of computer systems and services where continuous availability is a critical need. Stratus and its subsidiaries provide innovative Intelligent Network (IN) and telecom solutions to 27 of the world's 30 largest telecom service providers. Leveraging its IN expertise in delivering solutions to wireline and wireless carriers, Stratus is building an Internet IN architecture designed to break the Internet bottleneck and bring intelligence and value-added applications to the world of Internet telephony. For more information, visit Stratus on the Internet at www.stratus.com.
Tekelec (Nasdaq: TKLC) is a leading supplier of innovative network switching solutions and advanced diagnostic systems that enable rapid delivery of advanced communications products and services for the global communications marketplace. Tekelec's EAGLE STP switching platform is designed to meet the complex requirements of SS7 networks and enable wireline and wireless operators to deliver intelligent network services. Tekelec's diagnostic systems are used by communications suppliers and service providers to design, install and maintain their communications equipment and networks. Tekelec can be reached on the World Wide Web at www.tekelec.com.
Founded in 1996, Vertical Networks is the leading developer of a new class of integrated voice and data communications systems for the rapidly changing communications marketplace. These next generation systems are designed to simplify and deliver powerful business communications solutions to remote corporate offices and small- to medium-sized companies worldwide. These systems also allow network service providers to offer enhanced voice and data services and managed network services to attract and retain customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Vertical Networks can be reached on the World Wide Web at www.vertical.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.
