Company Also Doubling IP Capacity On German Network Ring
LONDON, December 18, 2003 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has expanded its European network to Vienna, Austria. The Level 3 network now serves 20 of Western Europe’s largest markets.
In addition, Level 3 is doubling IP capacity on one of the two network rings it operates in Germany. The ring, connecting Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt and Leipzig, will have an expanded capacity of 10 gigabits per second.
“These moves are the the latest in a series of steps we’ve taken to augment our European network in response to customer demand,” said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3’s European operations.
“Over the past two years, we have more than doubled the number of markets we serve in Europe. Doing so, we believe, has significantly increased our addressable customer base and enhanced the scope and quality of our product offerings. We look forward to having an expanded presence on the continent, and continuing to provide network services of the highest quality to our wholesale customers.”
Level 3’s latest European expansion follows recent announcements by the company that it was extending its network into Leipzig and Copenhagen and increasing network capacity into Stockholm. Level 3 accomplished the Vienna expansion with wavelengths leased from another carrier.
Level 3’s fibre optic network spans 22,500 miles and serves 20 of the largest markets in Europe, as well as 68 markets across North America. In addition, the company operates metropolitan networks in 36 cities, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. Level 3 also has network capacity on high-speed transatlantic cable systems.
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.
