BT Deploys Network Services From Level 3 to Continue Expansion of MPLS Backbone in the Americas

[NewsDesk]

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:LVLT) announced it is supplying network services to BT Americas Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of BT plc (NYSE:BTY), one of Europe's leading providers of information and communications technology (ICT) services.

Under the terms of the agreement, BT -- a global ICT service provider that has been operating in the U.S. since 1988 -- will use Level 3's new (3)Hub(SM) Private Line and (3)Center(R) Colocation services to expand its MPLS backbone in the Americas. New MPLS nodes will be rolled out in 15 new cities; the first 8 have just been activated. Once all nodes are activated, BT will own and operate one of the largest native MPLS networks in the U.S. and one of the most extensive in the world.

"BT is committed to providing complete communications services to multi- site global corporations in the Americas," said Chuck Pol, COO, BT Americas. "These customers want to find new ways to make their operations more flexible for the future and help them gain a competitive advantage. We believe that an IP-based infrastructure is key to achieving this flexibility.

"Almost half of our top 2,000 target customers are U.S. headquartered, multi-site corporations with extensive operations and requirements globally," added Pol. "Level 3's network services help BT expand on our strategy in the Americas by allowing these customers to connect multiple sites seamlessly and cost-effectively."

BT's MPLS network is accessible in 71 countries from more than 1,000 points of presence. The BT MPLS network today includes more than 19,000 ports and services about 1,200 customers globally.

"BT provides a comprehensive set of ICT services and solutions to meet the varying and complex demands of multi-site corporations and government organizations," said Sureel Choksi, president of Transport and Infrastructure Services for Level 3. "We're pleased that BT Americas has chosen Level 3 to supply network solutions that help enable BT to provide its customers with the quality service and reliability they have come to expect."

(3)Hub Private Line is a "self-service" private line offering that leverages the company's award-winning ONTAP(SM) system to enable customers to provision, upgrade and manage their own metropolitan and long-haul circuits on an as needed, pay-as-you-go basis. (3)Hub provides a level of self-managed provisioning and cost control that until now was not available using private lines. This approach is a further step toward empowering Level 3's customers with the tools and flexibility to manage their own networks more cost- effectively.

Level 3 provides (3)Hub Private Line service in 83 markets. Customers can connect to (3)Hub throughout the range of traditional Sonet and SDH interfaces from DS1/E1 to OC48/STM16. Customers can also take advantage of the flexibility offered through the availability of both protected and unprotected facilities and circuits.

Level 3 is one of the largest providers of colocation space in the world, operating more than 70 state-of-the-art, highly controlled data center facilities in the U.S. and Europe. Level 3 has an open policy regarding interconnection among its customers and, in most major cities, enables access to 8 to 10 other network providers within a Level 3 facility.

About BT Global Services

BT Global Services, BT's business services and solutions division, serves customers worldwide. As an information and communications technology service provider, BT Global Services provides integrated data and value-added services to meet the European needs of global multi-site corporations and the global needs of European corporations.

BT's extensive global network and strong strategic partnerships enable BT Global Services to serve customers in all key commercial centers of Europe, North America and Asia.

The BT Global Services portfolio ranges from desktop and network equipment and software, transport and connectivity, IP-based e-business solutions, managed network services and systems integration to consultancy for complex global requirements. With 18 years of experience in global account management, BT Global Services has 50 per cent of its people based outside the UK, serving large business customers worldwide. BT has approximately 1,800 professionals in the Americas, where it has conducted business, through its subsidiaries, since 1988. BT operates its own network infrastructure across the continental U.S., Canada and Latin America and has multiple sales offices and a global customer support center in the U.S.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 (NASDAQ:LVLT) is an international communications and information services company. The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, is one of the largest providers of wholesale dial-up service to ISPs in North America and is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of broadband subscribers, through its cable and DSL partners. The company offers a wide range of communications services over its 22,500 mile broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, and patented Softswitch managed modem and voice services. Its Web address is www.Level3.com .

The company offers information services through its subsidiaries, Software Spectrum and (i)Structure. For additional information, visit their respective Web sites at www.softwarespectrum.com and www.i-structure.com .

The Level 3 logo and (3)Center are registered service marks and (3)Hub is a service mark of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Forward Looking Statement

Some of the statements made by Level 3 in this press release are forward- looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Level 3 believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the overall economy relating to, among other things, the September 11 attacks and subsequent events, substantial capital requirements; development of effective internal processes and systems; the ability to attract and retain high quality employees; technology; the number and size of competitors in its markets; law and regulatory policy; and the mix of products and services offered in the company's target markets. 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 release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.