BROOMFIELD, Colo., and SANTA ANA, Calif., Aug. 10, 2004 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) and Callipso, a leading provider of enhanced Internet Protocol (IP)-based services, today announced that Callipso has signed an agreement to use Level 3’s (3)FlexSM Ethernet service.
Callipso, which provides Voice over IP (VoIP) origination and termination services as well as enhanced applications for domestic and international telecommunications carriers, enterprises, and independent prepaid service providers, will use Level 3’s data networking service to manage voice traffic over its nationwide IP network. In addition to (3)Flex Ethernet service, Callipso, a Level 3 customer since 1999, also uses Level 3’s voice termination, private line, high-speed Internet access, and colocation services.
“Level 3’s (3)Flex Ethernet service will allow us to prioritize VoIP traffic across our network, enabling us to better manage network resources for improved performance, while also helping to control expenditures,” said Randy Mueller, Callipso’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our relationship with Level 3 enables us to provide flexible, reliable, advanced IP-based services to our customers.”
“We’re pleased that Callipso has chosen our (3)Flex Ethernet service for managing its VoIP traffic,” said Scott Schaefer, group vice president of IP and Data Services for Level 3. “We believe this service, together with the other Level 3 services that Callipso has chosen, will provide a reliable, cost-effective, long-term data networking solution for meeting Callipso’s goals for performance, pricing, and aligning revenues with costs.”
Level 3’s (3)Flex Ethernet service extends the Ethernet standard to the Wide Area Network (WAN), providing a platform for converging voice, data, and video onto one network. (3)Flex Ethernet provides customers with ease of use, cost savings, and operational efficiencies in a flexible service to meet all their networking needs.
With (3)Flex Ethernet’s Class of Service (CoS) offerings, Callipso can tailor the service to match the requirements of specific applications, for example, using Optimized CoS to prioritize the delivery of high-quality voice, while establishing Enhanced Service virtual circuits for e-mail, file transfers, and other non-real-time data applications. Using the appropriate CoS for each type of traffic allows customers to more appropriately deploy and manage network resources and better manage network costs while providing the highest degree of reliability.
Benefits of (3)Flex Ethernet Service
Level 3’s (3)Flex Ethernet service offers customers the following benefits, whether implementing new applications or combining existing ones to run more cost-effectively over Ethernet:
The Level 3 (3)Flex Ethernet service is an integral part of Level 3’s suite of multi-protocol label switching (MPLS)-based data networking services, which also includes (3)Flex Network IP VPN, (3)Flex ATM, and (3)Flex Frame Relay offerings. This suite of services extends the ease of use and cost benefits of transporting data across WANs and provides secure data and voice transmission to and from more than 75 major markets in the United States and Europe.
About Callipso
Founded in 1996, Callipso provides enhanced IP services to telecommunications carriers, enterprises and the prepaid card marketplace. Callipso addresses today’s communications requirements with the industry’s leading enhanced IP services, including ProConferencer™, a Web-based audio conferencing service, and ProCaller™, a Web-based prepaid phone card platform. When combined with Callipso’s private managed IP network, these products serve to bridge the gap between IT and telecom to enable user-defined communications.
Callipso, a privately held company headquartered in Santa Ana, California, was recently named to the Orange County Technology Fast 50 by Deloitte & Touche LLP. Technology Fast 50 rankings are based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues over five years. Callipso was also named a 2004 Investors’ Choice award recipient by VentureWire™ at its annual private equity conference. That award recognizes technology companies that are best positioned for long-term success in the communications industry. For further information, visit www.callipso.com.
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.
