LEVEL 3 LAUNCHES COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN ORLANDO AND TAMPA
BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, February 14, 2000 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT), today announced that it launched communications services in both the Orlando and Tampa metropolitan areas. Level 3's IP-based network features advanced technology that will provide high quality, low cost services to help enable Internet related businesses to add value and, in turn, deliver their services to end-users.
Level 3 enables Web-centric companies to grow quickly by providing infrastructure and network services to meet increasing demands for e-commerce, streaming audio and video, and many other Web-based and communications services. "Orlando and Tampa represent key markets for us in the Southeast and are important to our overall growth strategy," said Kevin J. O'Hara, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Level 3. "We look forward to working with the many Internet-related businesses in these markets to harness the benefits of Internet technology through our advanced network, which is completely optimized for Internet Protocol. With our presence in Miami and now Orlando and Tampa, we are keeping with our business plans to have local networks in 56 U.S. markets, connected by a national long distance network of approximately 16,000 miles."
Level 3 Offers Services in Orlando and Tampa The company today is opening advanced technical facilities in Orlando and Tampa. Known as Gateways, these technology centers provide colocation space for customers' equipment and facilities, link Level 3's network to other communications networks and house the company's own network equipment. Level 3 currently has secured over 3.4 million square feet of Gateway space worldwide, with 1.3 million square feet built out at the end of 1999.
"Orlando and Tampa are important to Level 3's overall network strategy in that both markets have a dynamic and diverse economic structure that have experienced a steady growth over the past decade," said Jack Devine, regional director for Level 3. "There has been a significant increase in the number of e-commerce and other Web-based companies in the Orlando and Tampa metropolitan areas whose services demand the bandwidth and advanced technologies that Level 3 can provide."
Initial Services Offered in Orlando and Tampa Level 3 is positioning itself to begin providing businesses with basic, but critical services on a competitive basis. The initial services being offered to business customers in both Orlando and Tampa by Level 3 include the following services:
Private Lines - a dedicated, point-to-point circuit of a fixed amount of bandwidth between two predetermined points that a customer uses to transmit voice, data or video services.
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 network 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 numbers, modems and Internet connections as an outsourced service to Internet Service Providers
(* Softswitches are advanced software based switching systems, which enable Level 3 to provide services combining the best features of the Internet and traditional telephone networks.)
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.
