LEVEL 3 FINALIZES CONTRACTS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION
for Ring 1 of its European Network
biz.yahoo.com
Initial Network to Link London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and
Frankfurt
LONDON, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications International,
a unit of Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT), has finalized
contracts relating to construction of Ring 1 of it European Network in
France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Ring 1, which is
approximately 2,000 miles, will connect Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam,
Brussels and London. The Network is expected to be ready for service
by September 2000.
The Ring 1 build is part of the approximately 3,500 mile intercity
network that will ultimately connect a minimum of 13 local city
networks in Europe. This European network will be linked seamlessly to
the Level 3 U.S. network by the Level 3 transatlantic terabit cable
system currently under development, also ready for service by September
2000.
"This announcement represents another milestone in the rapid deployment
of Level 3's international network," said Colin Williams, president of
Level 3 International. "We are building high capacity networks both in
Europe and the U.S. and simultaneously constructing the crucially
important high capacity transatlantic cable system to link them."
"In Europe we are seeing massive growth in both demand for capacity and
bandwidth-hungry applications. By significantly lowering our cost base
we will be able to offer aggressive price reductions between any
European and US cities that sit on our network. In turn, this will
drive the demand for capacity," said Williams.
The Level 3 Network will be upgradable, typically installing multiple
conduits to allow for new generations of fibre to be pulled through.
Initially fibre will be only installed in one conduit, thereby allowing
for future expansion to deploy the latest fiber technology or to meet
increased customer demand.
Level 3's international Internet Protocol (IP) network will incorporate
local and long distance networks and therefore be capable of providing
service end-to-end. In the U.S., the company is building a nearly 16,
000 mile intercity, or long distance, network that will connect 50
local U.S. city networks. A total of 21 city networks are planned for
cities across Europe and the Pacific Rim. In addition to building a
transatlantic submarine cable, the company has purchased capacity on
three transatlantic cables and is part of a consortium that is building
a transpacific cable.
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc., is a communications and information
services company that is building the first international network
optimized for Internet Protocol technology. The Level 3 Network
combines local, long distance, and undersea networks, connecting
customers end-to-end across the U.S. and in Europe and Asia. The
company expects to complete the U.S. intercity portion of the network
during the first quarter of 2001. In the interim, Level 3 has leased a
national network over which it began to offer services in the third
quarter of 1998. Level 3's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq
National Market (U.S.) under the symbol LVLT. Its World Wide Web
address is www.Level3.com.
Forward Looking Statement
The statements made by Level 3 in this press release may be
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: substantial
capital requirements; development of effective internal processes and
systems; the ability to attract and retain high quality employees;
changes in the overall economy; technology; the number and size of
competitors in its markets; law and regulatory policy; and the mix of
products and services offered in its target markets. Additional
information concerning these and other potential important factors can
be found within Level 3's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of
these important factors.
SOURCE Level 3 Communications International
-0- 04/29/99 /CONTACT: News Media: James
Tyler (UK), +44 171 864 4471, Steve Ingish (US), 402-943-1337, or Josh
Howell (US), 402-943-1309, or Investors: Julie Stangl, 303-926-3575,
all of Level 3 Communications/
/Web site: level3.com (LVLT)
CO: Level 3 Communications International; Level 3 Communications,
Inc. ST: England, Colorado, Nebraska, New York IN: CPR SU: |
