Level 3 Voice Services Enable Nationwide Reach for Leading Mobile Communications App textPlus

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) today announced that it has been selected by textPlus, a California-based developer of free mobile communications, to help expand its business nationwide. By providing next generation IP-based voice and messaging services, including short message service (SMS) and telephone number services, Level 3 is a key contributor to the services textPlus provides. The application enables users to send and receive text messages and voice calls from a variety of connected devices including smartphones and tablets, and is widely offered on platforms including Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111004/LA77008LOGO)

"textPlus aims to efficiently deliver a next-generation texting and calling experience to more people across more devices – for free or at an exceptionally low cost," said Scott Lahman, Founder and CEO of textPlus. "For that, we needed a provider with the right combination of services, scale and nationwide reach to meet our demand, and we found that with Level 3."

Traditionally, to send or receive text message or phone calls, a user would need a phone with SMS (text) capability. With textPlus, users are given a phone number, regardless of whether they have access to a mobile phone. This number enables them to send and receive text messages and phone calls across multiple devices (smartphones, tablets and iDevices) via any wireless Internet or data connection. The service is ad-supported and always lets users communicate with others on textPlus for free.

To enable this next generation mobile service, textPlus will leverage Level 3's deep, scalable, national fiber-based voice network as well as the company's telephone number services and SMS services.

"The Level 3 network is designed to enable a full range of communications services on a global scale with the flexibility to adapt to new technology," said Sara Baack, senior vice president of Voice and Collaboration Services for Level 3. "textPlus is a great example of our commitment to fostering technological innovation by working with our customers to develop the reliable network solutions they need to monetize their ideas and ultimately grow their businesses."

Level 3's owned-and-operated U.S. nationwide network infrastructure is engineered to meet the most demanding standards for voice services. For more information, please visit www.level3.com/Products-and-Services/Voice.aspx.

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.

About textPlus
textPlus is a leading provider of free mobile communications worldwide. Over 27 million people have downloaded textPlus to text and talk for free on iOS, Android and Windows phones and devices. The company was founded in 2007 and backed by leading VC firms Matrix Partners, GRP Partners, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. For more information, visit www.textplus.com.

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

Website Access to Company Information
Level 3 maintains a corporate website at www.level3.com, and you can find additional information about the company through the Investors pages on that website at http://lvlt.client.shareholder.com/. Level 3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of important information about the company. Level 3 routinely posts financial and other important information regarding the company and its business, financial condition and operations on the Investor Relations web pages.

Visitors to the Investors Relations web pages can view and print copies of Level 3's SEC filings, including periodic and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, as soon as reasonably practicable after those filings are made with the SEC.

Copies of the charters for each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees of Level 3's Board of Directors, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, press releases and analysts and investor conference presentations are all available through the Investor Relations web pages.

Please note that the information contained on any of Level 3's websites is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, any document unless expressly incorporated by reference in that document.

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.

Contact Information

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.