BRF Brasil Foods Optimizes Its Communications with Level 3’s IP Satellite Services

SAO PAULO,March 5, 2012/PRNewswire/ –Level 3 Communications, Inc.(NYSE:LVLT, news, filings) today announced that BRF Brasil Foods, one of the largest food companies in the world, will use Level 3’s Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) solution to enable the seamless exchange of large volumes of information through integrated voice and data services. This will allow the company’s 115,000 employees — from those on the farms to those in distribution centers and corporate offices — to access all of the company’s communications resources. The service is offered via satellite and will be delivered to 77 of the company’s locations throughout Brazil. Level 3 extends the reach of its fiber-based terrestrial network with satellite services where terrestrial infrastructure is sparse because of South America’s rugged terrain.

Level 3’s IP VPN solution will meet the demands of specific locations, such as Alegrete and  Bage, Rio Grande do Sul; Bom Conselho in Pernambuco; Cristina, Bicas and Raul Soares in Minas Gerais; Feira de Santana, Bahia; Ananindeaua and Maraba in Para; Nova Marilandia inMato Grosso; and Aparecida deGoianiainGoiania.

“Level 3 has demonstrated dedication and commitment in its service implementation, meeting all deadlines and allowing us to stay focused on our primary job,” saidCurt Zimmerman, chief information officer at BRF Brasil Foods.

“Level 3’s IP VPN services simplify the network experience with a focus on business objectives,” saidMarcos Malfatti, senior vice president of Sales at Level 3 in Brazil. “These services provide the highest performance and versatility available today, with the global reach, reliability and network security to help BRF Brasil Foods meet its goals.”

About BRF Brasil Foods
BRF Brasil Foods is one of the largest food companies in the world. With established brands such as Perdigao,Sadia, Batavo and Elege and a portfolio of more than 3,000 items, the company operates in the segments of poultry, pork and beef, processed meat, margarine and pasta, and is also one of the main dairy processors in the country. BRF is also the third largest Brazilian exporter and the largest chicken exporter in the world with a 20% share of the world trade, and accounts for 9% of the world exports of animal protein. The company is also one of the largest employers in the country with 115,000 employees. It has 60 plants inBrazil and three abroad (Argentina,United Kingdom andThe Netherlands). Its products arrive daily at the table of millions of Brazilian consumers and at the 140 countries to which the company exports. Listed on theSao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa), BRF is part of the New Market segment, which brings together companies that follow the highest standards of corporate governance. Moreover, it is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a premier global provider of IP-based communications services to enterprise, content, government and wholesale customers. Over its reliable, scalable and secure network, Level 3 delivers integrated IP solutions, including converged, data, voice, video and managed solutions to help enable customers’ growth and efficiency. Level 3 operates a unique global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents in more than 45 countries, connected by extensive undersea facilities. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.  For more information, visit www.level3.com.

Website Access to Company Information
Level 3 maintains a corporate website at www.level3.com, and you can find additional information about the company through the Investors pages on that website at http://lvlt.client.shareholder.com/.  Level 3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of important information about the company. Level 3 routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the company and its business, financial condition and operations on the Investor Relations web pages.

Visitors to the Investors Relations web pages can view and print copies of Level 3’sSECfilings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with theSEC.

Copies of the charters for each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees of Level 3’s Board of Directors, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, press releases and analysts and investor conference presentations are all available through the Investor Relations web pages.

Please note that the information contained on any of Level 3’s web sites is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document unless expressly incorporated by reference in that document.

Forward-Looking Statement
Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and 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. Important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the company’s ability to: successfully integrate the Global Crossing acquisition or otherwise realize the anticipated benefits thereof; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; obtain additional financing, particularly in the event of disruptions in the financial markets; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; maintain and increase traffic on its network; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that could adversely affect the company’s competitiveness; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its 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.

SOURCELevel 3 Communications, Inc.