Hitbox Breaks New Ground for Gamers with Level 3 Content Delivery Network

Tens of Millions of Users Benefit from CDN Capabilities

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany and BROOMFIELD, Colorado, Feb. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced that Hitbox.tv, home to tens of millions of video game live streamers and eSports enthusiasts, is using Level 3's content delivery network (CDN) services to deliver an optimized video game streaming experience. Hitbox differs from other gaming sites in that it enables users not only to watch others playing a game, but also to participate in the action by making tactical or fun suggestions to the player in real time. With Level 3's CDN platform, Hitbox can provide users and broadcasters with its gaming services around the world.

"At Hitbox, we're fully committed to providing the best possible service to our community, from all users to viewers and broadcasters," said René Weinberger, CTO at Hitbox. "With Level 3, we have been able to deliver what gamers need most – high-quality streaming – so they can enjoy their favourite games with others in the community. We believe this is fuelling the rapid growth in Hitbox user numbers."

Features of the Hitbox Gaming Experience:

• Increased Interaction Capabilities: Using Hitbox's HTML5 chat feature, the gamer can conduct a quick survey among viewers to ask them which move he/she should make next. The chat function also allows users to add GIFs and videos within the function.
• Speed and Performance: With the Level 3 CDN service, gamers worldwide have access to a high-performance, safe, secure and reliable CDN service supported by a network providing colocation and high-speed IP services from a single source.

"Gaming is increasing in popularity, and without a doubt, live streaming is the fastest-growing segment," commented Gerald Rubant, director of Sales, Enterprise Business for Germany, Austria & Switzerland at Level 3. "That's why it's essential to provide optimal quality of service from the outset. With the help of Level 3, Hitbox is implementing new services to scale up to its next phase of growth."

About Hitbox
Hitbox is the favorite online community for tens of millions of gamers around the world. Home to the highest quality video game live streaming, the most advanced chat and interactive platform, and the most engaged community for streaming and talking about all-things-gaming, from competitive eSports to new indie hits, Hitbox is the web's virtual game room where gamers go to hangout. It is the only streaming service to offer a delay-free experience with resolutions up to 4K 60 fps. Hitbox's state-of-the-art, HTML5-based chat features allow unprecedented sharing and community involvement for broadcasters and viewers alike. Based in Vienna, Austria, Hitbox is available globally at hitbox.tv, as well as for iOS and Android.

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that 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 500 markets in over 60 countries across 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 or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 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.

The information contained under the caption "About Hitbox" has been provided by Hitbox, which is solely responsible for its content.

Level 3 Communications 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; maintain and increase traffic on its network; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; 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.

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