Level 3 Participates in World IPv6 Day, Simplifies Internet Transition to New Protocol Standard

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced its participation in the Internet Society's World IPv6 Day, emphasizing the company's compelling solution for the migration of Internet traffic to the emerging Internet protocol version six (IPv6) protocol standard. As a key participant in the development of the IPv6 protocol, Level 3 has spent years developing a solution for customers that enables a simple and seamless transition to the new standard.

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The Internet has long operated based on internetworking standards developed via IPv4, a protocol at the core of assigning the Internet addresses widely used today. With the last block of available IPv4 addresses allocated in early February of this year, the Internet is now rapidly approaching address exhaustion. Given the increasing number of IP-reliant devices and services entering the market, it is crucial for Web service companies and providers to prepare for the transition to a new protocol standard that offers a broader scope of possible Internet addresses. IPv6, a new protocol standard with a significant increase in available Internet addresses, has been developed to replace IPv4, but adoption has been gradual.

Level 3 has been testing protocol solutions for years to ensure a seamless transition between protocol standards for its customers, developing a dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 architecture. The dual-stack architecture delivers services over the same infrastructure as Level 3's native IPv4 support and enables customers to move seamlessly between protocol versions regardless of the type of traffic being generated. Consequently, every market that Level 3 currently serves is IPv6 ready, enabling customers to make the transition to IPv6 at any time.

"Level 3's dual-stack approach is meant to be a bridge that will simplify the protocol migration process for our customers and the industry as a whole," said Andrew Crouch, president of Sales for Level 3. "Backed by a wealth of experience in defining and developing the protocol, Level 3 is committed to offering its customers a secure, reliable and efficient means of transitioning to IPv6 to ensure they receive the same high-quality service they have come to expect from Level 3."

As a frontrunner in Internet protocol solution development, Level 3 has been successfully transporting IPv6 traffic since 2005. Through work with organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Alliance for Telecommunications, Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the TOPS Council's IPv6 Readiness Plan Study Group, Level 3 has emerged as a leader in guiding IPv6 transition efforts, offering customers an efficient and secure way of transferring critical IP data, voice and video regardless of the protocol.

For more information on Level 3's solution for IPv6 migration, visit http://www.level3.com/Resource-Library/Brochure/IPv6.aspx.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.  Level 3, Level 3 Communications and the Level 3 Communications 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/or other countries.  Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.  Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements 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. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to:  the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; a discontinuation of the development and expansion of the Internet as a communications medium and marketplace for the distribution and consumption of data and video; and disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3's ability to obtain additional financing.  Additional factors include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to:  increase and maintain the volume of traffic on its network; develop effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; successfully integrate acquisitions; and meet all of the terms and conditions of 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.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.