California-Based Network Provider Using Level 3’s
(3)CrossRoads® Service To Support U.S. Expansion
BROOMFIELD, Colo., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 12, 2004 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced a new agreement with Mzima Networks, a California-based provider of network services to enterprises and Internet content providers.
Mzima recently expanded the capacity of its U.S. communications network in order to enhance the Internet access services it provides to its customers. To accomplish the expansion, Mzima selected (3)CrossRoads service, Level 3’s wholesale high-speed Internet access and transport offering. (3)CrossRoads enables customers like Mzima to lower bandwidth costs and bypass congested Internet exchange points, minimizing latency and improving the end user’s online experience.
“Our U.S. network expansion has enabled us to add Dallas, Chicago and Ashburn, Virginia, as new markets in service, and we expect to bring additional national and international markets on-net in the future,” said Michael Dell’Anno, Mzima’s president of sales and marketing. “As our business grows, we know we can rely on Level 3 to help us extend the reach of our network quickly and cost effectively, and to enable us to deliver high-quality, high-speed Internet access services to our clients.”
“We’re pleased to be supporting Mzima on this important initiative with our (3)CrossRoads service,” said Gordon Boyes, vice president of Internet Services for Level 3. “Their need to expand capacity underscores the success they are having in the marketplace, and we look forward to serving as their network partner.”
Mzima offers high-performance IP connectivity, including a fault-tolerant nationwide backbone network connecting to multiple Tier-1 carriers and numerous private peers. Mzima uses customized, proprietary software in combination with BGP4 routing to make real-time routing decisions, constantly analyzing the many possible paths for network traffic. With a variety of possible routes to popular destinations, Mzima delivers high performance and availability for mission-critical Internet applications.
(3)CrossRoads is an industry-leading Internet Protocol (IP) service offering a wide range of interface types and access locations, including the gigabit Ethernet (1,000 Mbps) customer interface option. Level 3 employs a unique network approach to track the destination and monitor the bandwidth usage of IP packets traveling on or off its high-capacity, continuously upgradeable fiber optic network.
The (3)CrossRoads platform provides the performance, reliability, scalability, and ease of connection companies need to respond to their clients’ increasing demands for data-intensive content, backed by Level 3’s world-class service and support.
About Mzima Networks
Mzima Networks, a profitable, privately held company founded in 1996, is currently providing direct connectivity in the Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, D.C. markets. Mzima Networks, a leading high-performance route-optimized bandwidth provider, delivers Internet bandwidth via its proprietary distributed metro NAP architecture and wide-area backbone network. By building metropolitan SONET rings connected to multiple Tier-1 backbone providers, and by having extensive private peering with numerous broadband ISPs, backbones and content providers, Mzima Networks offers its customers the fastest, most reliable connectivity currently available. Information about Mzima and its unique service offering can be found at its Web site, www.mzima.net.
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.
