Level 3 Expands Strategic Relationship with Cox Communications

BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:  LVLT) today announced that it has signed multi-year agreements with Cox Communications to deliver high-speed IP and transport services, and is also expanding the capabilities made available through Level 3’s wholesale partner program that enable Cox to use and to resell Level 3’s services. Cox will also purchase additional dark fiber to expand its backbone and support the growth of its broadband network.

The comprehensive agreements into which Level 3 and Cox are entering build upon and strengthen the extensive relationships between the two companies lasting over ten years. The companies have also agreed on terms and conditions under which they will exchange IP traffic between their respective backbone networks.

“The end-user experience continues to be the core of whether business is won or lost,” said Andrew Crouch, president of Sales for Level 3. “By leveraging the investments Level 3 has made in its network and enterprise services, Cox will be better positioned to deliver a superior experience to their customers. We are pleased to have expanded our long-standing business relationship with Cox through this portfolio of agreements that are consistent with our principles.”

“To ensure the optimal quality of Cox services, we must regularly expand and enhance our network capacity, capabilities and reach,” said Jay Rolls, senior vice president of technology, Cox Communications. “The strategic relationship with Level 3 allows us to bolster our network and more effectively deliver voice, video and data products to homes and businesses.”

For more information on Level 3’s advanced network and service offerings, visit www.level3.com.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LVLT, news, filings) 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 Communications, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.  Level 3, Level 3 Communications and the Level 3 Communications Logo  are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.  Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.  Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to:  the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; a discontinuation of the development and expansion of the Internet as a communications medium and marketplace for the distribution and consumption of data and video; and disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3’s ability to obtain additional financing.  Additional factors include, but are not limited to, the company’s ability to:  increase and maintain the volume of traffic on its network; develop effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate acquisitions; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. 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 press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.