Company Has More than 1,200 (3)CrossRoads Customers Globally, Representing an Increase of 100 Percent in Two Months
(3)CrossRoads Enables Satellite, Wireless and other Companies to Realize Cost and Performance Benefits of Level 3's Network
BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 8, 2001 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced new customer agreements in the U.S., Europe and Asia for its (3)CrossRoads Internet access service. Level 3 has more than 1,200 (3)CrossRoads customers globally, representing an increase of 100 percent in two months. The new customer agreements in the U.S. are with Digital Island and Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. In Europe, Level 3 has signed new contracts with Vizzavi, Dedigate, Infonie, BIS, Liberty Surf Telecom, WISH-NOKNOK, Eutelest, SURFnet, Free, and NL.tree.
The new customer agreements in Asia comprise a number of companies, including Swire Properties and PacketVideo. Many of these customers use the wholesale (3)CrossRoads Internet access service in multiple states and countries. (3)CrossRoads is a high-performance wholesale Internet access service that enables satellite, wireless and other communications-intensive companies to gain cost and performance benefits for bringing and exchanging traffic on Level 3's global broadband network.
"(3)CrossRoads is a high performance Internet Protocol (IP) service that enables customers to manage costs by using the industry's first pricing approach based on the destination of their Internet traffic," said Brian Horsfield, vice president of Global IP Services for Level 3. "Level 3 is uniquely positioned to offer (3)CrossRoads service at disruptive prices while maintaining high margins because of our conduit and fiber rich metropolitan and long haul networks, Ethernet technology, and a large base of IP-intensive customers in 63 Level 3 Gateway data centers globally."
"In addition to Level 3 Gateway data centers, we currently provide (3)CrossRoads Internet access to communications-intensive customers in more than 100 Internet data centers and other facilities not owned by Level 3," added Horsfield. "To continue our aggressive efforts to drive traffic onto our metropolitan, long-haul and undersea networks, we expect to extend availability of the service to over 250 locations globally by the end of this year."
(3)CrossRoads Internet Access Service
(3)CrossRoads is an IP service that offers a wide range of interface types and access locations, including a Gigabit Ethernet (1,000 Mbps) customer interface option. Level 3 employs a unique network approach to track the destination and monitor the bandwidth usage of IP packets traveling on or off its high-capacity, continuously upgradeable fiber optic network. (3)CrossRoads features Destination Sensitive Billing (DSB), the industry's first pricing based on the destination of Internet traffic rather than traditional flat rate pricing.
The new service enables Level 3 customers to enjoy long-term cost savings and bypass congested Internet exchange points, minimizing latency and improving end-user experience. (3)CrossRoads service is available today in 39 North American markets, nine European markets and two Asian markets. Level 3 customers can take advantage of (3)CrossRoads from a Level 3 Gateway, their own premises, and other IP-enabled facilities connected to the Level 3 network - such as neutral colocation centers and carrier hotels. For more information on (3)CrossRoads, visit www.level3.com/us/services/crossroads.
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.
