Level 3 to Serve as an Official Technology Provider for the USA Pro Challenge

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LVLT, news, filings) today announced it is an official technology provider for the USA Pro Challenge, the most physically demanding professional cycling race in North America. Level 3 will provide a suite of content delivery network (CDN) and Vyvx Solutions services, known as Level 3’s Internet Broadcast Elements, to deliver coverage of the seven-stage, Colorado-based race to countries across the globe.

In 2011, the Pro Challenge drew in more than one million spectators throughout the week-long event, making it the largest spectator event in Colorado history. This year, Level 3 will help race fans around the world view the 683-mile event, by providing live broadcasts, as well as live and on demand video streaming services.

“Level 3 is a trusted leader in delivering some of the most high-profile events in the world,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge. “By utilizing Level 3’s network, flexibility and performance we can give fans of the Pro Challenge access to one of the most exciting cycling events held all year.”

“As a Colorado-based company, Level 3 is honored to support this premier cycling event held in our own backyard,” said Jeff Storey, president and COO at Level 3. “Our global, all-IP fiber network, combined with our extensive experience in delivering high-profile live events, ensures that fans from all over the world will have a front-row seat to one of the most widely anticipated sporting events of the summer.”

Featuring 128 of the world’s best riders, the Pro Challenge kicks off on Aug. 20 in Durango, Colo., and culminates Aug. 26 in Denver.

Level 3’s Internet Broadcast Elements combine the power of Level 3’s Vyvx Video Broadcast Solutions with encoding and CDN services to provide a comprehensive platform for the seamless delivery of high-quality video online, joining traditional broadcast and online content distribution in a highly scalable, redundant and cost-effective way.

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) provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3’s comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 450 markets in 45 countries over a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. For more information, please visit www.level3.com

©Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.Vyvx, Internet Broadcast Elements, Level 3,Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 Logo either registered service marks or service marks ofLevel 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 ofLevel 3 Communications, Inc.

About the USA Pro Challenge

For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majesticColorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure as they ascend over three mountain passes, each exceeding 12,000 ft. in elevation. After attracting more than 1 million spectators in 2011, making it one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2012. Featuring a challenging, 683-mile course with more than 42,000 ft. of vertical climbing, the second annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America’s most beautiful scenery.

Referred to as “America’s Race,” the USA Pro Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, a week proclaimed by Governor John Hickenlooper as “Colorado Cycling Holiday,” and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More information can be found online at www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.

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.

The information contained under the caption “About the USA Pro Challenge” has been provided by the USA Pro Challenge, which is solely responsible for its content.

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.