Level 3 Announces Expansion Into Eastern Europe

Level 3 Announces Expansion Into Eastern Europe Level 3 Now Providing IP Services in Prague to Telenor and Other Customers LONDON, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:LVLT) announced today that its European operating subsidiaries are now providing IP services in Prague, Czech Republic. Level 3 is offering (3)CrossRoads(R), its wholesale high-speed Internet access service, to target customers that include ISPs, cable providers, and international carriers selling communications services to Prague-based enterprises. Level 3 is accomplishing the expansion using optical wavelengths leased from another telecom service provider. "The Czech Republic is one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in Eastern Europe," said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3's European operations. "We believe the addition of Prague as a market in service will significantly enhance Level 3's European network footprint, and we look forward to serving our growing base of customers there." Among Level 3's initial IP transit customers in Prague is Nextra, a subsidiary of Telenor, the Norwegian incumbent carrier. Telenor, Norway's largest telecommunications group, maintains substantial international mobile operations and, through Nextra, aims to establish itself as a leading IP operator for the business market in the Czech Republic and nine other European countries. "Level 3 already serves as a key provider of connectivity for Telenor in London and New York," said Morten Lundal, Managing Director of Telenor's Internet business unit. "The reliability, stability and overall performance of the Level 3 network gave us great confidence in choosing Level 3 again for this important network service initiative." Level 3's fibre optic network spans 23,000 miles and now serves 22 of the largest markets in Europe, as well as 77 markets across North America. In addition, the company operates metropolitan networks in 36 cities, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. Level 3 also maintains substantial network capacity on high-speed transatlantic cable systems. 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)CrossRoads are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Services are provided by operating subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. 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. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990721/LVLTLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Level 3 Communications, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Josh Howell, +1-720-888-2517, or Nerissa Waring, +44-20-7954-5078, or Investors, Robin Grey, +1-720-888-2518, or Sandra Curlander, +1-720-888-2501, all of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Web site: http://www.level3.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment