LEVEL 3 (LVLT)

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Level 3 Expands Network Infrastructure in Europe, Deepens Presence in France and Spain

Tuesday , March 15, 2011 04:00ET

New Points of Presence in Toulouse, France, Enable Two National Network Rings; Increases Connectivity, Scalability and Service Offerings

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced that it has enabled two national intercity rings (backbones) in southern Europe designed to provide increased connectivity and scalability of services in France and Spain. The national backbones are made possible by the creation of two new, diverse points of presence (PoPs) in Toulouse, France, a new market Level 3 has entered in response to increased demand for communications services from the region's high-tech industry.

The new PoPs are located at major traffic aggregation points in Toulouse and enable Level 3 to deliver a wider range of services to customers in France and Spain, including Ethernet private line (EPL) and wavelength transport services, high-speed Internet protocol (HSIP), direct Internet access (DIA) and virtual private network (VPN), as well as content and media delivery services.

In recent years, Toulouse has become a center for high-tech industry, including aerospace, computers and pharmaceuticals. Level 3's new PoPs in Toulouse will make it possible for the company to meet increased demand for telecommunications services from such businesses throughout the region. The new services offer customers higher available bandwidth, lower latency and faster provisioning and delivery - all from a single provider.

"No other carrier is able to provide the depth and breadth of next-generation services that Level 3 is offering in this region with the creation of the new PoPs and national rings," said Thierry Bardy CEO at Intermediasud (IMS). "By reselling Level 3's services via the connectivity in Toulouse, in addition to our own regional connectivity, we're able to provide our customers with unmatched access to one of the world's largest Internet backbones and the scalability to meet growing enterprise demand."

"By creating new connections in Toulouse and going deeper into countries like France and Spain, where we already have a network presence, we're better placed to provide our European customers with a reliable one-stop shop for all of their communications needs," said James Heard, president of European Markets at Level 3. "This is critical because, ultimately, our goal is to make it as easy and efficient as possible for customers to work with Level 3, no matter where they do business or how great their demand."

In creating the new PoPs in Toulouse, Level 3 has effectively split one of its larger network rings, which previously spanned France and Spain, into two smaller rings. The network enhancement, while still offering the original connectivity, allows Level 3 to deliver services to customers faster, with lower latency and greater diversity. The expansion of Level 3's presence in these markets is in line with the company's commitment to deepening its presence in Europe, opening new PoPs and increasing the availability of its portfolio of telecommunications services to customers around the world.

Level 3's network in Europe presently spans 21 countries and offers connectivity in 48 markets. For more information on Level 3's services in Europe, please visit www.level3.com/index.cfm?pageID=254.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. (C) Level 3 Communications, LLC. All rights reserved.