Level 3 Accelerates Deployment of EarthLink's Bundled Internet and Voice Service
BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 19, 2006 — Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT), announced today an expanded relationship with EarthLink (Nasdaq:ELNK) to serve as the underlying provider for EarthLink’s newest Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) initiative, EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Level 3® VoIP Enhanced Local service will provide nationwide local voice service to EarthLink as part of a bundled voice and broadband Internet package that includes features such as caller ID, voicemail and 3-way calling bundled with multiple speeds of DSL Internet access.
The Level 3® VoIP Enhanced Local service supports EarthLink's local, long distance and international voice traffic, providing voice origination, voice termination, directory listings, and caller ID. The service also enables EarthLink to connect its customers to the public switched telephone network when they make calls to traditional telephones or mobile devices. Included in the service is Level 3’s award-winning E-911 Direct service, which provides industry-leading nationwide coverage for enhanced 911 service.
“Our goal is to provide our customers with innovative voice and Internet services that also deliver on their needs for quality, price and reliability," said Steve Howe, vice president of voice services for EarthLink. "Level 3 helps us meet that goal by offering broad coverage and a quick time-to-market.”
“We are pleased that EarthLink has selected Level 3 to expand their VoIP initiatives," said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. "We believe that Internet service providers are well positioned to offer consumers an easy-to-use bundle of services, including voice services that will drive the adoption of VoIP. Level 3 enables our ISP customers to accelerate deployment of their VoIP services by delivering full-featured, advanced and reliable solutions."
In September 2005, EarthLink selected Level 3 to support its trueVoicesm VoIP service offering. Under the terms of that agreement, Level 3 provides its VoIP Enhanced Local service including local telephone numbers that EarthLink can assign to its voice customers.
Level 3’s VoIP Enhanced Local Service
Level 3’s VoIP Enhanced Local service provides the essential components required to offer reliable and high-quality local voice service. These components include network trunking, local numbers, local number portability, E-911, operator assistance, directory listings, and directory assistance. VoIP Enhanced Local service also allows Level 3 customers to manage and control end-user features to customize the service for their end-user customers.
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.
