Level 3 Completes Upgrade to Vyvx Infrastructure

- Company Also Announces Plan to Significantly Expand HD Compression and Transmission Services, Enabling More Cost-Efficient HD Broadcasts

LAS VEGAS, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced it has completed significant upgrades to its Vyvx infrastructure, implementing its VenueNet+ service across the country. VenueNet+ is a set of integrated services that gives venue-based broadcasters a complete, high-quality broadcast solution. In addition, Level 3 unveiled plans to significantly expand and upgrade its high definition (HD) video services beyond sports venues – a move aimed at providing a wide range of broadcasters with a more simplified and cost-effective way to transmit live, long-haul HD video.

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Level 3's advanced, patented VenueNet+ technology delivers an unparalleled suite of HD video transmission, compression, data and voice services installed in venues across the United States. Completed upgrades for VenueNet+ enhance and strengthen a wide range of features that, when combined, deliver a breadth and depth of solutions not offered by any other media services provider. Upgrades include: integrated codecs enabling high-quality JPEG 2000 video compression; seamless connectivity to the Level 3 Tier-1 IP backbone for Internet access; and Level 3 enterprise voice services.

"Now installed in more than 100 professional sports venues, Level 3's VenueNet+ technology is vastly improving the quality and ease of sports-based broadcasts," said Mark Taylor, vice president of Media and IP Services for Level 3. "We've created a solution that features consistent installation across venues and 24-hour advanced technical support, making the process as easy as possible for our customers."

Level 3 To Expand VenueNet+ Transmission and Compression Services

Level 3 plans to expand its HD transmission and JPEG 2000 compression services used for VenueNet+ to more than 40 markets in the United States and make it available for other non-sports broadcast customers such as TV stations and production companies. The expansion, estimated for completion in approximately 12 months, will provide a more cost-efficient way for broadcasters to transmit high-quality HD video.

"By taking the JPEG 2000 compression technology and putting it on our network, we're able to give non-venue based broadcasters an easier way to transport their video," said Taylor. "Now our customers can focus less on logistics and more on the quality of their content."

For more information on Level 3's Media services, please visit www.level3.com/en/products-and-services/video. Level 3 will be at the NAB Show in Las Vegas on April 16-19 to discuss its broadcast delivery capabilities. The Level 3 booth, located in the South Hall – SU10415, will feature a fully-enabled Vyvx interface to demonstrate in real time how the newly advanced capabilities are changing the landscape of video broadcast transmission. To see a live feed of the booth, visit www.level3.com/NAB2012.

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 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.

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's SEC filings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with the SEC.

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.