Level 3 Named "Ethernet Service Provider of the Year"

[Apoptosis]

Level 3 Named "Ethernet Service Provider of the Year" in Latin America

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc., (NYSE: LVLT) today announced it has been honored with the "Service Provider of the Year" award for its Ethernet services in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), a global industry alliance. Level 3 also won the "Best Business Ethernet Service" award. The MEF Carrier Ethernet Service Provider Awards recognize excellence and leadership in the development, marketing and delivery of Carrier Ethernet services.

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"The 'Service Provider of the Year' award represents the highest cumulative score for all categories – business, wholesale and marketing – with an additional score for service coverage, access technologies and partnership agreements," said Nan Chen, MEF president.

"Level 3 won the 'Best Business Ethernet Service' award for providing the most unique and innovative Ethernet service to the enterprise segment within the CALA region," said Chen. "Ethernet is a key component for companies trying to drive growth while also increasing efficiencies, and providers like Level 3 are helping companies leverage the technology to create business value."

The awards are presented annually in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and in the Caribbean and Latin America region, and are determined by a judging panel comprising five global and regional analysts.

"Overall, the award entries highlight the important role of Ethernet as a network transport technology delivering enhanced performance and efficiency to the enterprise," stated Nav Chander, senior analyst at IDC and one of the judges. "Broad deployment of Ethernet now spans the globe and Level 3 is uniquely positioned in a number of the major regions of the world, including Latin America, to meet the growing demand for Ethernet services."

"Level 3 is proud to receive these awards in recognition of our Ethernet services," said Hector Alonso, Level 3's regional president Latin America. "We're working closely with our customers, as well as with organizations like MEF, to create value for the market by offering services we believe are the most reliable and flexible Ethernet solutions available."

Level 3´s EtherSphere(SM) Wide Area Network (WAN) transport services are available in 28 countries.

For more information on Level 3's advanced network and service offerings, visit www.level3.com.

About the MEF
The MEF is a global industry alliance comprising more than 170 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF's mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org/.

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.