Level 3 Selected as Exclusive Broadcast Services and CDN Provider for the ITU World Triathlon Series

- Company Will Deliver Live Broadcast and Streaming for Series of Championship Events Held in Eight Countries

LAS VEGAS, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced that it has been selected as the exclusive broadcast services and CDN provider for the ITU World Triathlon Series. ITU (International Triathlon Union) is the world governing body for triathlon.

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The ITU World Triathlon Series is recognized as the world's premier triathlon series. The championship series pits top athletes from around the globe to compete head-to-head in an eight-city series, staged on four continents. Each race is run over the Olympic distance of a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run or sprint distance of a 0.75-kilometer swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run.

As series technology provider, Level 3 will employ its suite of Internet Broadcast Elements (IBE) to enable the company to broadcast and live stream each race of the ITU World Triathlon Series. In addition, Level 3's IBE technology will host a Web-based video on demand service, where viewers can watch replays of all of the races – including races from past years.

"Last year, the ITU World Triathlon Series was broadcast in more than 160 countries. With that kind of growing popularity, it's important that we can scale to meet our fans' viewing and streaming demands," said Marisol Casado, ITU President. "Level 3 makes it easy and seamless for us because it is the only company that offers a one-stop shop for reliable video broadcast and streaming services – all critical factors in helping us connect with our fans and grow the sport on a global level."

"Level 3 is a trusted provider for a number of the world's most high profile sporting events because it has the network and capabilities to broadcast and stream live sporting events on a global scale," said Mark Taylor, vice president of Media and IP Services for Level 3. "We know the stakes are high when it comes to live events, which is why we remain laser-focused on delivering the reliability, flexibility and scalability needed to ensure our work for the ITU World Triathlon Series is a resounding success."

The ITU World Triathlon Series began this month in Sydney, Australia. Events will also be held in San Diego, Calif.; Madrid, Spain; Kitzbuhel, Austria; Hamburg Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Yokohama, Japan; and Auckland, New Zealand.

Level 3's Internet Broadcast Elements combine the power of Level 3's Vyvx Video Broadcast Solutions with encoding and CDN services – all on a global scale. Internet Broadcast Elements enable a series of end-to-end solutions that combine traditional and online content distribution in a highly scalable, redundant and cost-effective way.

For more information about Level 3's Internet Broadcast Elements service, visit: www.level3.com/en/solutions/business-need/internet-broadcast-elements.

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 Internet Broadcast Elements interface to demonstrate in real time how the service is changing the landscape of online 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.

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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.