UK-Based Research Network Operator Buys Dark Fiber
And Colocation Services From Level 3
Infrastructure Will Support GEANT2 Research Network Initiative
LONDON, September 14, 2005 – Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced it has signed a new agreement to provide network services across Western Europe to DANTE, a UK-based operator of large academic research networks.
Under the terms of the three-year agreement, DANTE will purchase inter-city dark fibre from Level 3 connecting the cities of London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris. DANTE is also leasing colocation space in Level 3 data centres in London, Brussels and Düsseldorf as part of the transaction.
DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe) is a non-profit organisation established in 1993 to plan, build and operate high-bandwidth networks for universities and other academic organizations. DANTE is currently building a next-generation European research network known as GEANT2, which will service more than 3 million users across 34 countries. The Level 3 fibre and colocation space will be used to support the GEANT2 project, which is co-funded by the European Commission and Europe’s leading research and educational institutions.
“We’re delighted to have been selected by DANTE as a network services supplier for this important research initiative,” said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3’s European operations. “The research and academic market is of strategic importance to Level 3 both in Europe and the U.S.; as such, we very much look forward to providing DANTE with high-quality network infrastructure to support GEANT2 and its end users.”
“Advanced networking facilities are considered essential to research activities, where collaboration is required on a pan-European and increasingly, a global scale,” said Dai Davies, General Manager at DANTE. “GEANT2 will allow Europe’s researchers and academics to collaborate, combining their expertise and knowledge to keep Europe at the forefront of global research. High-quality network infrastructure is imperative to our success – and one of the key reasons we have chosen Level 3, which has industry-leading experience as a provider of dark fibre and colocation services. We look forward to working closely with Level 3 during the project.”
Infrastructure services from Level 3 provide academic and research communities with the facilities required to operate and maintain advanced fibre-optic research networks that can serve highly specialized, bandwidth-intensive applications now and into the future. The services include optical fibre cable, fibre-based network extensions, colocation and running line facility space, power, and operation and maintenance of the network.
Level 3’s network spans more than 19,000 intercity route miles in the United States connecting more than 150 cities, and an approximately 3,600 mile in Western Europe. Level 3’s network utilizes high fibre counts, the latest generation of optical fibre, and carrier-neutral colocation facilities.
Currently under construction, GEANT2 is designed to serve as Europe’s next-generation research network backbone. It will provide efficient access to data processing and storage facilities, creating “virtual laboratories” across Europe and, increasingly, on a global scale. The network will also deliver substantial connectivity to other world regions, enabling researchers around the world to participate alongside their European colleagues in international research activities.
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.
