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To: Ron who wrote (136435)	9/20/2005 9:29:26 AM
From: Zoro	Respond to of 208838

LVLT - VOIP services for Earthlink -- here's the release: EarthLink Selects Level 3 to Support New VoIP Services Level 3 to Provide E-911 and Other Network Services Under New Collaboration BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications (Nasdaq: LVLT), announced today that it has been selected to provide network services supporting new consumer Voice-over-IP service offerings from EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK), the nation's next generation Internet service provider. EarthLink has selected Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced(SM) Local service to provide local, long distance and international carrier services, including connectivity to the public switched telephone network and E-911 services, for EarthLink voice customers. In addition, Level 3 will provide telephone numbers that EarthLink can assign to its voice customers, and will assist in making local numbers portable for EarthLink customers. 'EarthLink is rolling out high-quality, low-cost voice services that will allow consumers to experience the benefits of talking with family, friends and colleagues over the Internet,' said Steve Howe, EarthLink vice president of Voice. 'As we deploy our Internet voice products, our customers will benefit from Level 3's reliable network and E-911 services.' 'Level 3 continues to set the pace in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) by assisting companies like EarthLink as they deploy new Internet voice services, providing a broad set of VoIP services including E-911 capabilities for customers,' said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of Consumer Voice Services for Level 3. 'We've been providing a range of network services to EarthLink for many years and are pleased that EarthLink has selected Level 3 as a carrier provider for its new phone services.' EarthLink's plans include introducing several innovative voice services, including a line-powered residential phone service that will operate during a power outage and be marketed as a primary line alternative to traditional local and long-distance phone services. In addition, EarthLink will roll out its next generation of residential VoIP service, EarthLink trueVoice, which will include a number of new features, such as call blocking. With Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service, EarthLink customers will benefit from one of the industry's most extensive E-911 services for Voice over IP. Two years ago, Level 3 became one of the first providers to deliver enhanced 911 services for VoIP, and the company continues to strengthen its leadership position by expanding its services. While others are now just beginning to develop their E-911 network assets, today Level 3 has the network connections to the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve approximately 67 percent of all U.S. households. Level 3 plans to extend its coverage to more than 70 percent of U.S. households by the end of 2005. Portfolio of Local Wholesale VoIP Services Level 3's portfolio of local wholesale VoIP solutions provides the essential components required to offer high quality VoIP services. These include (3)VoIP Enhanced Local, (3)VoIP(SM) Local Inbound, and (3)Voice(R) Termination services. These services provide companies that operate their own switching infrastructure the ability to launch IP-based local and long-distance communications services to residential and business customers via any broadband connection. In addition, the recently launched Level(3) E-911 Direct(SM) service will add fixed location and nomadic E-911 capabilities. Level 3's proprietary softswitch platform makes these services efficient, enabling companies to cost effectively speed their deployment of high-quality VoIP services. For more information about Level 3's broad portfolio of VoIP services, please visit www.Level3.com. 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 23,000-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)Voice are registered service marks and Level(3) E-911 Direct is a service mark of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. (3)VoIP and (3)VoIP Enhanced are service marks of Level 3 Enhanced Services, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are offered by wholly owned 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: developing new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; increasing the volume of traffic on Level 3's network; overcoming the softness in the economy given its disproportionate effect on the telecommunications industry; integrating strategic acquisitions; attracting and retaining qualified management and other personnel; successfully completing commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; ability to meet all of the terms and conditions of our debt obligations; overcoming Software Spectrum's reliance on financial incentives, volume discounts and marketing funds from software publishers; reducing downward pressure of Software Spectrum's margins as a result of the use of volume licensing and maintenance agreements; and reducing rate of price compression on certain of the Company's existing transport and IP services. 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. SOURCE Level 3 Communications