Company Now Has Metro Networks in 26 U.S. Markets and 5 European Markets
BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 25, 2000 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has finished building two advanced metropolitan fiber optic networks in New Jersey.
Specifically, the networks will serve Newark and Jersey City, offering low-cost bandwidth services to Internet service providers and other Level 3 customers. Level 3, a broadband infrastructure company, now has built and operates metropolitan networks in 26 U.S. markets and 5 European markets. Kevin J. O'Hara, president and chief operating officer for Level 3, said completion of the Jersey City and Newark networks will allow Level 3 to introduce "aggressive and disruptive" pricing into the communications marketplace in both cities. "We believe we can enhance the competitive position of Web-centric companies in the greater New York metropolitan area by using the newest technology to continuously drop the price they pay for bandwidth," O'Hara said. "Having owned networks in these markets will make it difficult for traditional networks to remain competitive." O'Hara noted that Level 3's approximately 21,000-mile intercity network in North America and Europe will be substantially complete by the end of the year, and that the company has recently announced plans to significantly expand services in Asia.
"Level 3 has established a strong position as a leading provider of low cost bandwidth services around the world," O'Hara said. Jersey City and Newark Metropolitan Networks The completion of Level 3's multi-conduit, continuously upgradeable metropolitan fiber networks in Jersey City and Newark allows the company to move Internet and communications traffic from leased local networks in those cities to its own advanced Internet protocol (IP) network.
The new networks built by Level 3 let the company provide bandwidth services in two key New Jersey markets to a growing base of Internet and communications companies at significantly lower cost than was possible using leased metropolitan networks. "Our continuously upgradeable network design gives Level 3 the unique ability to incorporate the newest and best fiber technology much faster and at substantially less cost than competing broadband network service providers," said Anthony DeMaio, Level 3 regional director of sales for Jersey City and Newark. "As a result, Internet and communications companies providing services in the Jersey City and Newark communities can expect to receive the most reliable, scalable and cost-effective bandwidth and colocation services available."
Level 3"s customers in New Jersey include Vital Communications, an application service provider that furnishes software and network integration for more than 400 local New Jersey municipalities. Additionally, Vital Communications plans to offer Internet access and other Web services to area businesses through its subsidiary, SunSpeed Communications. "Level 3's high-speed fiber-optic network and broadband infrastructure services enable Vital Communications to provide advanced Web-based applications that help New Jersey's local governments and other New Jersey businesses become even more efficient and successful," said Mike Hellekson, president and chief executive officer for Vital Communications. "Additionally, Level 3's infrastructure allows us to offer highly-reliable and secure Internet and intranet services to businesses in New Jersey without the heavy expense of building our own network." I
In the United States, Level 3 has completed and operates metropolitan broadband networks in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Jersey City, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Stamford, Tampa and Washington, D.C. In Europe, Level 3 has completed metropolitan networks in Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, London and Paris. For more information about Level 3's global broadband infrastructure, please visit www.Level3.com.
(*Softswitches are advanced software based switching systems that 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.
