Level 3 Selected as a UK Government Public Services Network (PSN) Supplier

- Presents strategic opportunities for Level 3 to offer benefits of its IP-VPN solution to public sector agencies

LONDON, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced that it has been named as one of the strategic suppliers to the new PSN Connectivity Framework, the UK Government's procurement channel for public sector agencies wishing to buy certified communications and encryption services. The selection was made after Level 3's IP-VPN solution passed a strict certification process.

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The PSN Connectivity Framework aims to save the UK government 130 million pounds Sterling each year by providing the public sector with an efficient, effective procurement route for services delivered via the Public Services Network (PSN). Consisting of a range of Local and Wide Area Networking services, the framework has been designed to suit the varying capacity, security and performance needs of public sector departments and agencies.

"Winning a place on the framework is a significant achievement and testament to the performance and reliability of Level 3's IP-VPN solution and support of the UK government," said Jeff Parris, senior vice president of public sector sales for Level 3. "As an existing GCN service provider and certified IP-VPN supplier, we have been deeply committed to PSN since its inception. We were one of the first to receive certification for our services last summer and were also responsible for the first PSN deployment through the Pathway Project, an initiative that saw Kent and Hampshire County Councils link up to the PSN."

Parris continued, "Today's announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to the initiative. PSN not only has the potential to save the public sector a significant amount of money, it will also bring real benefits to civil servants – allowing access to new services and a more collaborative way of working. Ultimately, these benefits will be passed on to citizens, and they will experience a more interactive, digital and connected public sector."  

Level 3's solution will allow customers to operate more efficiently and more securely as they can flex the network requirements between Impact Levels (IL) on demand, maximising the use of the physical connection and only paying for the capacity required. It will also allow public sector organisations within the same building to share the same connection, but with their own virtual circuit, while home workers and satellite offices can access the network over the public internet via secure tunnels.

The Level 3 PSN Connectivity Services can be administered through the company's award-winning ePortal service, which provides real time service status, billing and performance information. The portal can also be used for moves, additions and changes.

For more details of the Level 3 PSN Connectivity Services, please contact psn@level3.com

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) 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. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. For more information, visit www.level3.com.

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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.