AT&T Wireless Purchases Broadband Transport Backbone Service from Level 3 For New GSM/GPRS Mobile Network
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) announced today that it has signed an agreement to provide network services to AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE), one of the nation's leading providers of wireless services.
AT&T Wireless will use a series of high-speed private-line circuits from Level 3 to provide transport for its GPRS wireless network in selected markets. AT&T Wireless's GSM/GPRS network allows AT&T Wireless to offer customers "next-generation" mobile communications services, sometimes referred to as "2.5G" service, including high-quality voice calls and high-speed Internet access via wireless phones or other portable devices.
"AT&T Wireless is at the forefront of the wireless revolution, which is transforming the way people communicate with each other," said Kevin O'Hara, Level 3's president and chief operating officer. "The growth of next-generation wireless services will take us beyond the mobile voice communications available today to always-on access to the Internet and, eventually, mobile multi-media communications. We are tremendously pleased that AT&T Wireless has chosen Level 3 to be a supplier of (3)Link Private Line services for this exciting and critically important project."
GPRS (for General Packet Radio Service) is a wireless technology that allows portable communications devices to download email and other information from the Internet at speeds up to 10 times faster than is possible on many other mobile networks. GPRS allows users to be notified of incoming voice calls while in data mode, so they may take the calls and then quickly return to data retrieval when finished without having to re-establish a data connection. Data include e-mail, along with real-time stock news, sport bulletins and weather reports, as well as corporations' private, secure applications.
About (3)Link Private Line
With (3)Link Private Line, customers purchase dedicated amounts of bandwidth connecting fixed locations while bypassing the public switched telephone network. The service is typically purchased by companies that need to transmit large amounts of data, video or voice quickly and efficiently.
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.
