(3)Works Certification Program Designed to Ensure Interoperability between
(3)Voice Services and Third-Party IP Voice Applications and Equipment dynamicsoft Collaborating with Level 3 to Deploy New Program
BROOMFIELD, Colo., September 12, 2000 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced
(3)Works, a new voice certification program designed to ensure interoperability between Level 3's (3)Voice services and third-party Internet protocol (IP) voice applications and equipment.
"We're particularly pleased to launch this new program because we feel it will enable software and product developers to bring innovative new IP voice services to market easier, faster and more cost effectively," said Ike Elliott, senior vice president of Global Softswitch Services for Level 3. "We believe (3)Works will not only speed the development of new, IP-based voice services in the industry, but also has the potential to drive more voice traffic onto our network."
With (3)Works, companies can evaluate the compatibility of their IP voice products and services with Level 3's
(3)Voice services completely over the public Internet, eliminating the need to send workers and equipment to off-site labs. A number of companies have been participating in (3)Works trials, including 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS), Santa Clara, Calif.; Allied Riser, BroadSoft, Cisco, dynamicsoft Inc., eStara, eYak, NexTone, Pingtel, Sylantro Systems, TalkingNets, telecom technologies and Webley Systems.
Dynamicsoft is working with Level 3 to deploy the new program."With Level 3's (3)Works self-evaluating IP interoperability testing, Cisco can quickly demonstrate the standards compliance and interoperability of our industry-leading voice gateways," said Alistair Woodman, directory of marketing at Cisco. "We are pleased to participate in the early trials and believe this service will further accelerate the widespread adoption of VoIP networks."
"(3)Works will speed delivery of IP voice services by allowing companies to quickly certify their systems as compatible with the Level 3 IP network," said Joan Spindel, vice president of marketing at dynamicsoft Inc.
"Level 3's choice of dynamicsoft as the SIP server reference platform for (3)Works is evidence of its commitment to standard protocols and leading-edge technologies. dynamicsoft's support of the (3)Works program reflects our belief in the importance of interoperable solutions for next-generation networks."
"Level 3 is committed to implementing standards, and our (3)Works program initially tests against our standard Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interface specification" said Jason Bach, architect of technology development for Level 3. "By making interoperability testing so easily available to developers, we expect to see an extensive increase of software and equipment compatible with our SIP-based (3)Voice services."
SIP is an open, scalable Internet-based standard that initiates voice, video, interactive games, virtual reality and other communication over IP networks. Since its designation as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), SIP has emerged as the premier signaling system for merging telephony services with the Internet to create whole new classes of enhanced session-based communications services. Level 3 expects (3)Works to enhance adoption of its (3)Voice product line.
(3)Voice Termination Service, launched last year, is the industry's first long-distance IP voice service with sound quality indistinguishable from traditional telephone networks. (3)Voice Exchange, introduced today at a conference in Atlanta, is a VoIP service that enables telephone quality voice communication from personal computers and IP phones. Level 3 will begin accepting applications on September 18 from companies wishing to participate in the certification program. To apply for the program, send an e-mail request to 3works.
(*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.)
(3)Voice and (3)Voice Exchange are service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. 3Com is a registered trademark of 3Com Corporation.
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.
