Level 3 Introduces Adaptive Network Control Solution, Allowing Enterprise Customers to Access Applications Through Microsoft Azure

- Services Delivered to Microsoft Through Fully Automated SDN-Based Network Functionality

BROOMFIELD, Colorado, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced it is leveraging the power of software-defined networking (SDN) in the cloud by introducing Adaptive Network Control Solutions^SM via ExpressRoute to Microsoft Azure.

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In today's enterprise environment, IT departments are increasingly moving their applications and workloads from on-premises data centers to the cloud, citing the need for more flexibility, easier management and greater cost efficiencies. While some enterprises may opt for the public Internet to connect to the cloud, many are choosing private connections for better reliability, lower latency and increased security. Regardless of the type of connection, a growing challenge for enterprises is the need for more analytics and visibility into their network performance and the ability to make adjustments to network bandwidth more rapidly to deliver high quality business applications from the cloud.

To address that challenge, enterprises can now use Level 3's new SDN-based network capabilities, which are incorporated into its Cloud Connect Solutions platform. Adaptive Network Control services include:

• Enhanced Management, which provides visibility into and analytics of key network performance characteristics like latency and packet loss on an end-to-end, site-by-site basis; and
• Dynamic Capacity, which gives customers the ability to scale their bandwidth by up to three times on demand or automatically based on scheduled events or utilization triggers.

"Traditional private networks typically provide fixed amounts of bandwidth with minimal insight into performance," said Anthony Christie, chief marketing officer at Level 3. "Now enterprises can take advantage of Level 3's Enhanced Management and Dynamic Capacity for Microsoft Azure, giving them the ability to seamlessly and instantly adjust their bandwidth needs as well as garner important network data that can help inform their future network decisions. This new approach to managing bandwidth helps enterprises significantly increase operational efficiencies and performance, which are critical components to a company's long-term success."

Level 3's SDN-based network functionality is ideal to support a variety of use cases in Azure, including scheduled backups for disaster recovery, managing large ad hoc IT workloads and handling seasonal volume growth. These SDN capabilities for Level 3 connectivity to Azure will be available this summer.

For more information on Level 3's Cloud Connect Solutions and SDN-based networking services, visit www.level3.com/adaptivenetworkcontrol.

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, Vyvx, Venuenet+, 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 elsewhere. 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 tw telecom acquisition; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; increase revenue from its services to realize its targets for financial and operating performance; 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; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; 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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Related Links

http://www.level3.com