Date: Wed, January 02, 2002
Publication:
BROOMFIELD, Colo., January 2, 2002 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has become the primary provider of broadband services for Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment’s (SPDE) Screenblast. The Level 3 services will support SPDE’s new broadband creativity platform. To enable its new Screenblast broadband Internet offering, Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment has purchased multiple Level 3 services, including (3)Center Colocation and (3)CrossRoads Internet access.
“Screenblast is an evolution in online entertainment and is the first application to link the role of traditional media with the role of interactive media,” said Mike Knaisch, senior vice president for Level 3. “Screenblast leverages all of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment’s media properties and is a testament to the growing demand for broadband applications. Through Screenblast, SPDE and Level 3 together represent the beginning of a new era in interactive entertainment.”
“It is through Level 3’s high-quality colocation service and the reliability of its high-performance broadband backbone that we are able to offer such a dynamic, interactive platform in Screenblast,” said Mike Arrieta, vice president and co-general manager, Screenblast for Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment. “Level 3’s connectivity to broadband access providers enables content providers such as SPDE to effectively reach broadband end users.”
“The media and entertainment industries are strategically important for Level 3 because of their substantial bandwidth needs that we believe will continue to grow rapidly,” added Knaisch. “Our agreement with SPDE provides us with a significant revenue opportunity over time in a market that is important to the continuing growth of Level 3. This agreement is evidence of the success Level 3 is having connecting media and entertainment companies with last-mile networks that deliver broadband access to residences and businesses, both of which require a high-performance, cost efficient network.”
Screenblast is an innovative entertainment offering aimed at consumers with broadband Internet connections. Through the SPDE web site (www.sonypictures.com) or the Screenblast web site (www.screenblast.com), consumers enter an interactive world where they can choose to navigate through five genre channels—action, comedy, drama, sci-fi and music. From there, users can then move into the “director’s” seat to create and showcase their work and connect with others online through a multitude of new devices.
(3)Center Colocation and (3)CrossRoads are service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc.
Screenblast is a registered trademark of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment.
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.
