Charter to Accelerate Telephone Deployment Utilizing Level 3’s (3)VoIP EnhancedSM Local Service
BROOMFIELD, Colo., February 6, 2006 — Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) and Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ:LVLT) today announced they have extended their relationship with a new, multi-year agreement under which Level 3 will support Charter's expansion of consumer and small business telephone services. Level 3’s (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service will enable Charter to reduce the time-to-market associated with its deployment of high-quality voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) based services.
This agreement extends the portfolio of services Level 3 delivers to Charter, which currently includes (3)Voice® Termination service, (3)CrossRoads® IP services, (3)Link® Dark Fiber service and (3)Link Intercity Private Line service.
The latest service to be adopted by Charter, (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service, is a telephone solution that will increase the speed and efficiency of Charter’s launch of IP-based local and long-distance communications services. (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service provides local phone numbers, local number portability, fixed location
E-911 and local trunking. Level 3 is able to offer these services in 4,300 rate centers in part as a result of its competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) status in all 50 states.
“By working with Level 3 we can leverage a full suite of local, long distance and E-911 voice services to accelerate our telephone deployment and expand into new markets,” said Ted Schremp, senior vice president and general manager of Charter Telephone.
"Charter Telephone™ customers value the choice, value and quality that our service provides. We're seeing significant consumer demand and are responding by accelerating our deployment. Our relationship with Level 3 provides speed-to-market benefits which will allow us to more quickly capture market share.”
“The cable segment is an important area of focus for Level 3 and we are excited to extend our relationship with a leading cable operator like Charter,” said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. “Our nationwide local voice network, extensive voice experience and the scalability and flexibility of our solutions have a proven track record of helping cable operators quickly introduce and immediately differentiate their voice services from traditional phone service.”
In addition to unlimited local and long distance calls, Charter Telephone customers enjoy caller ID, voicemail, call waiting and call waiting with caller ID, speed dial for eight different numbers, and anonymous call rejection.
Customers are able to keep their current telephone number or choose a new one. There is no need to purchase additional equipment when switching to Charter Telephone since the service works over existing telephone lines and is available on any in-home telephone jack.
The Charter network also has a backup system in case of a power failure. Customers will also benefit from Charter Telephone’s E911 emergency service, which identifies the actual address to emergency operators.
As a wholesale provider and enabler of network solutions, the Level 3 Network makes it possible for cable companies like Charter to implement quick-to-market solutions, providing a competitive advantage to retain and build their customer base.
About Charter Communications, Inc.
Charter Communications, Inc., a broadband communications company, provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital™, Charter High-Speed™ Internet and Charter Telephone™. Charter Business™ provides scalable, tailored and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to organizations of all sizes through business to business Internet, data networking, video and music services. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.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.
