LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES SERVICE IN BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, October 14, 1999 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT), today announced that it will begin providing communications services in the Baltimore metropolitan area. "Baltimore represents a significant part of our plans to serve business throughout the cities that make up the Northeast Corridor -- stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C.," said Kevin J. O'Hara, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Level 3. "We look forward to working with the business community to provide the advantages afforded by a totally new infrastructure optimized for the Internet Protocol. Having a presence in Baltimore is in keeping with our strategic growth plans to have local networks in 56 U.S. cities, connected by a nearly 16,000 mile national long distance network."
Level 3 is currently offering services in 21 U.S. cities and four European cities. By year-end 1999, Level 3 expects to offer services in 27 U.S. cities and five European cities. When completed, the Level 3 Network will include local networks in 56 U.S. cities and 23 international cities connected by an approximately 16,000 mile U.S. intercity network and an approximately 4,750 mile European intercity network as well as substantial transoceanic capacity.
Level 3 Offers Services in Baltimore The company has built a 38,000 square foot advanced technical facility, known as a Gateway, which links Level 3's network to other telecommunications networks, houses Level 3's own network equipment and also has substantial space for Level 3's colocation services. "Level 3's commitment to the Baltimore business community is more than our investment in advanced infrastructure, new jobs and contributions to the city's tax base. We are dedicated to becoming a strong corporate citizen, working hard to earn the trust of our customers in the Baltimore metropolitan area by providing high quality, reliable and cost effective telecommunications services," said David Roop, Level 3 Director.
Level 3 is now installing its basic building blocks for current and future communications needs in the Baltimore area and cities across the nation. By building a network optimized for IP technology, Level 3 is positioning itself to take advantage of what it sees as a fundamental technological shift in communications. The company believes that this shift from 100-year old circuit switching technology to the newer Internet Protocol technology will change the way businesses communicate, and that the shift is as important as that from the mainframe to the PC.
Initial Services Offered in Baltimore Level 3 is positioning itself to begin providing businesses with basic, but critical services on a competitive basis. Initially, Level 3 will use leased network capacity and, as its national IP-based network is completed, the company will be able to seamlessly switch customers over to its own network. The initial products being offered to business customers in Baltimore by Level 3 include the following services:
Private Lines - a dedicated, point-to-point circuit of a fixed amount of bandwidth used to connect one company location to another, or one company location to the Internet or a long distance voice service
Colocation - designated, secure space in a Level 3 Gateway where a customer can locate specialized data and communications equipment, which can be connected to Level 3's high capacity communications networks for reliable, secure and upgradeable access to the Internet
Internet Access - high capacity, upgradeable connections to the Internet for Internet Service Providers and corporate users
IP CrossRoads - high capacity, upgradeable connections between service providers and content providers within colocation centers
Dark Fiber - unlit optical fibers provided for the exclusive use of individual carriers, who determine the type of electronics and bandwidth for their own needs
Managed Modem - a service that provides connection to the local telephone company's network and telephone numbers, modems and Internet connections as an outsourced service to Internet Service Providers.
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.
