Level 3 Expands Data Center Facility in San Francisco Bay Area to Support Enterprise Growth with Enriched Capabilities

BROOMFIELD, Colo.,March 20, 2012/PRNewswire/ — Level 3 Communications, Inc.(NYSE:LVLT, news, filings) today announced that it is broadening its global data center capabilities by adding high-density enterprise-ready space to its San Francisco facility. This additional data center space will accommodate enterprise growth that requires an efficient, scalable, enterprise-ready facility to support their business applications.

The new facility enables customers to design their own space, which can be easily scaled as their businesses grow and allows enterprises to control the costs of expansion. In addition, the facility offers instant access to increased network capacity and direct connectivity to Level 3’s global network. Level 3 also manages the facility, eliminating operations, administration and maintenance expenses.

“Enterprises can face challenges with the reliability and growth of critical applications that are not closely situated to the network core,” said Mike Benjamin, vice president of data center product management. “Customers benefit from using Level 3’s data centers because we offer direct connectivity to our infrastructure, which can enhance reliability of business applications and, in turn, enable businesses to expand more quickly.”

This facility also features high-density power cabinets and suites, multi-layer security with 24 x 7 closed-circuit video and alarm monitoring; dual authentication security; fully redundant uninterruptible power supply and industry-standard heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; support for 200 watts per square foot power density; and customer work stations and conference room facilities.

“Based on our estimates ranking Level 3 as a top 10 multi-tenant data center provider in the U.S. in terms of 2011 revenues and 2012 projected revenues, Level 3 is competitively positioned to attract a broader set of customers with its enterprise-ready data center services,” stated Sean Hackett, research director at 451 Research, a global analyst research firm. “Enterprises of all sizes are recognizing the benefits offered by modern collocation services, and our research shows significant demand from both enterprises and service providers in the San Francisco area.”

According to 451 Research estimates, the overall multi-tenant data center market in the U.S., valued in 2011 at$15.8 billion, is projected to grow at 19.2 percent CAGR through 2013.

Level 3 has more than 350 data center and colocation facilities globally, including assets in North America, Europe and Latin America. These facilities allow customers to expand their enterprise application resources rapidly or to enhance business continuity programs. Connectivity among sites is available via Level 3’s 165,000 intercity, metro, and subsea fiber route miles. Level 3 has a network presence in more than 45 countries.

For more information on Level 3’s data center and colocation offerings, visit http://www.level3.com/en/sfba-dccs/.

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. For more information, visit www.level3.com.

©Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3,Level 3 Communications, Level (3), Think Ahead, the Level 3 Logo and the Level 3 Think Ahead 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.  Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

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.