Level 3 and Dialpad Communications Announce Partnership to Bring Innovative VoIP Services to ISPs and other Broadband Service Providers
PHOENIX, Ariz., March 21, 2001 - Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it is collaborating with Dialpad Communications, Inc., an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony service provider, to bring enhanced IP-based voice services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other broadband service providers. "We're seeing an enormous shift in the IP voice market in terms of the types of companies wanting to offer enhanced voice services," said Ike Elliott, senior vice president of Global Softswitch Services for Level 3. "There's a significant increase in the number of ISPs and ASPs seeking to integrate IP voice strategies into their current business models. Collaborating with Dialpad Communications underscores our commitment to providing the most robust, scalable and cost-effective VoIP services available in the marketplace."
Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 and Dialpad plan to jointly market Dialpad's IP-based "dialpadaccess" voice service platform to specific Level 3 customer segments, including ISPs and other broadband service providers. This new strategic relationship enables Dialpad, a company that holds 46 percent of the retail VoIP market globally according to international consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, to offer a range of IP voice services supported by Level 3's softswitch-based network.
"Level 3 and Dialpad are working together to enable ISPs to offer voice services to their users," said Dialpad Communications CEO Brad Garlinghouse. "Level 3's IP-based voice network, combined with our turn-key voice solution create an entirely new business segment for ISP, broadband, and cable companies without the capital outlay previously required through traditional PSTN based telephony services."
About Softswitch Technology
Pioneered and co-developed by Level 3, a softswitch is computer software that emulates the functions of traditional voice circuit switches to control and process calls over a communications network. Similar to a computer operating system, softswitches feature an open platform on which developers and Level 3 customers can build innovative and specialized applications that make communications less expensive and more productive. Level 3 made today's announcement at the Spring Voice On the Net (VON) 2001 Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., where Level 3 CEO Jim Crowe and Ike Elliott are giving keynote addresses. Level 3 is marketing its softswitch-based (3)Voice services at the March 20-23 conference in booth # 423.
(3)Voice is a service mark of Level 3 Communications, Inc.
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.
