Level 3 Issues Statement Concerning Internet Peering and Cogent Communications

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    BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications
 (Nasdaq:   LVLT) today issued the following statement in response to inquires it
 has received concerning its discontinued peering relationship with Cogent
 Communications.  The following comments can be attributed to Sureel Choksi,
 executive vice president of Level 3 Communications.
     "Free peering, also referred to as settlement-free peering, is a
 contractual relationship under which two companies exchange Internet traffic
 without charging each other.  In order for free peering to be fair to both
 parties, the cost and benefit that parties contribute and receive should be
 roughly the same.  The previous arrangement with Cogent was a contractual
 agreement that, when entered into, met that criteria.
     "Over the last six months, our operating subsidiary has assessed all of
 our relationships to determine whether or not settlement-free peering is still
 appropriate.  We determined that the agreement that we had with Cogent was not
 equitable to Level 3.  There are a number of factors that determine whether a
 peering relationship is mutually beneficial.  For example, Cogent was sending
 far more traffic to the Level 3 network than Level 3 was sending to Cogent's
 network.  It is important to keep in mind that traffic received by Level 3 in
 a peering relationship must be moved across Level 3's network at considerable
 expense.  Simply put, this means that, without paying, Cogent was using far
 more of Level 3's network, far more of the time, than the reverse.  Following
 our review, we decided that it was unfair for us to be subsidizing Cogent's
 business.
     "The arrangement with Cogent was terminable on 60 days' notice.  On
 July 18, we sent Cogent a letter informing them of our intent to terminate the
 agreement and stop the free exchange of Internet traffic.  On August 31, we
 sent a second letter to Cogent's management regarding our plans and advised
 them to make appropriate arrangements to prepare for the termination of our
 agreement.  We then contacted Cogent senior management to offer to discuss
 alternative commercial terms to allow the continued exchange of traffic.
 Cogent refused.  Subsequently, we had a discussion with Cogent's CEO, David
 Schaeffer, to again advise him of the impending termination.  Despite more
 than 75 days of advance written notice of the termination of our agreement,
 Cogent apparently failed to notify its customers or make any business plans to
 prepare for disconnection.
     "On October 6, Level 3, as it had repeatedly advised Cogent it would,
 terminated free traffic exchange with Cogent.  Because Internet users,
 apparently without notice from Cogent and through no fault of their own, have
 been impacted, Level 3 has, effective immediately, re-established a free
 connection to Cogent.  In order to allow Internet users to make alternative
 arrangements, we will maintain this connection until 6:00 a.m. ET, November 9,
 2005.  The effectiveness of this arrangement of course depends on Cogent's
 willingness to maintain their side of the traffic exchange.
     "Over the next 30 days, we will work diligently to help assure Internet
 connectivity is available to all users on a fair and open basis.  Further, as
 has always been the case, we are willing to work with Cogent to reach a
 contractual arrangement that is equitable to both parties.  If this is not
 possible, we expect that Cogent will make arrangements with one of the
 numerous alternative carriers currently offering such services.
     "We have gone through similar processes with many other companies with
 little or no disruption.  Those firms chose to enter into arrangements --
 either with Level 3 or others -- to obtain the appropriate connectivity and
 keep the interests of their customers paramount.
     "To be lasting, business relationships should be mutually beneficial.  In
 cases where the benefit we receive is in line with the benefit we deliver, we
 will exchange traffic on a settlement-free basis.  Contrary to Cogent's public
 statements, reasonable, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreements for the
 exchange of traffic do not represent a threat to the Internet.  They don't
 represent a threat to anyone other than those trying to get a free ride on
 someone else's network.
     "As always, Level 3's goal is to continue to play a role in assuring
 ubiquitous and fair access to the Internet.  We will continue to take
 appropriate action to receive fair value for the investments that we have made
 in our network infrastructure and to support the economic viability and
 vitality of the Internet as an integral part of today's marketplace."
 
     About Level 3 Communications
     Level 3 (Nasdaq:   LVLT) is an international communications and information
 services company.  The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones
 in the world, is one of the largest providers of wholesale dial-up service to
 ISPs in North America and is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for
 millions of broadband subscribers, through its cable and DSL partners.  The
 company offers a wide range of communications services over its 23,000-mile
 broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services,
 broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, and
 patented softswitch managed modem and voice services.  Its Web address is
 www.Level3.com.
     The company offers information services through its subsidiaries, Software
 Spectrum and (i)Structure.  For additional information, visit their respective
 Web sites at www.softwarespectrum.com and www.i-structure.com.
 
     The Level 3 logo is a registered service mark of Level 3 Communications,
 Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.  Services described in this
 press release are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3
 Communications, Inc.
 
     Forward-Looking Statement
     Some of the statements made by Level 3 in this press release are
 forward-looking in nature.  Actual results may differ materially from those
 projected in forward-looking statements.  Level 3 believes that its primary
 risk factors include, but are not limited to: developing new products and
 services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins;
 increasing the volume of traffic on Level 3's network; overcoming the softness
 in the economy given its disproportionate effect on the telecommunications
 industry; integrating strategic acquisitions; attracting and retaining
 qualified management and other personnel; successfully completing commercial
 testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and
 services, including voice transmission services; ability to meet all of the
 terms and conditions of our debt obligations; overcoming Software Spectrum's
 reliance on financial incentives, volume discounts and marketing funds from
 software publishers; reducing downward pressure of Software Spectrum's margins
 as a result of the use of volume licensing and maintenance agreements; and
 reducing rate of price compression on certain of the Company's existing
 transport and IP services.  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 release should be evaluated in
 light of these important factors.
 
 

SOURCE  Level 3 Communications