Wargaming.net Selects Level 3 to Support Expansion, Increased Demand for Online Game Content

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced that it has been selected to provide content delivery network (CDN) services to support the online delivery of game content for Wargaming.net, a top international online game developer and publisher. Level 3's ability to scale to meet demand for content on a global scale will aid in the growth of Wargaming.net's World of Tanks game title.

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Under the terms of the expanded contract, Level 3 is providing Wargaming.net with caching and download services, live event and monitoring support services and premium content analytics for the World of Tanks massive multiplayer online game (MMO). Since its launch in the Russian Federation last year, World of Tanks has gained a large following with nearly five million registered users worldwide.

"The speed and quality with which our content is delivered to our gamers can make or break a game, and as we look to expand the reach of World of Tanks, the ability to quickly meet customer demand is crucial for our continued success," said Victor Kislyi, chief executive officer at Wargaming.net. "That's why we need a CDN provider that can keep up with our growth, help us understand the best ways to deliver content, and protect our brand. Level 3 has supported our tremendous growth in Russia as well as our recent launch into North America and Europe, so we're confident in their ability to help us meet demand, regardless of where or how much we grow."

The expansion of the relationship comes on the heels of Level 3's successful delivery of a major content upgrade, within the World of Tanks game. When the patch was released, more than half a million players in Russia immediately requested the content, creating a flash peak of nearly 70 Gbps (gigabits per second) of caching capacity, which Level 3's CDN was able to rapidly scale for delivery. Following the successful launch in the Russian Federation, Level 3's CDN has helped support game expansion in North America and Europe.

"We understand gamers increasingly demand richer content, live and on-demand streams and low latency, even during peak traffic, and we've designed our services with those factors in mind," said James Heard, president of European Markets for Level 3. "Level 3 has the scalability, reach and network reliability to help game developers and publishers like Wargaming.net minimize risk, provide a higher quality online gaming experience, and keep costs manageable. This allows them to focus more of their time creating compelling content and delighting consumers, and less time worrying about managing infrastructure."

The Level 3 network is trusted by many leading entertainment and media companies to deliver content to audiences worldwide. The company's services for the gaming industry are similarly designed to seamlessly deliver high-quality online content to end-users, allowing developers and publishers to spend more time designing and developing the best games possible and less time thinking about how to deliver them online.

For more information on Level 3's services for the gaming industry, visit www.level3.com/en/Solutions/industry/Digital-Entertainment/Gaming.aspx.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a premier international 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 reaching five continents. For more information, visit www.level3.com.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3), Think Ahead, the Level 3 Logo and the Level 3 Think Ahead 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.

About Wargaming.net

Wargaming.net is an award-winning online game developer and publisher, incorporated in the UK. Its 270-strong development team is located in Minsk, Belarus. Since 1998, the company has shipped 13 titles, including acclaimed Massive Assault series, Order of War RTS published by Square Enix, and three add-ons for Blitzkrieg II. At the Russian Game Developers Conference (KRI) in 2009 and 2010, Wargaming.net was named The Best Developer Company from ex-USSR. At KRI 2011 the company was awarded Industry Prize and World of Tanks won the Best Game Award. The company's headliner project, World of Tanks, gained the Guinness World Record for the Most Players on One Server Simultaneously. Currently, Wargaming.net is developing the next action MMOs, World of Warplanes and World of Battleships. Official web site: www.wargaming.net

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 company's ability to successfully integrate the Global Crossing acquisition, 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 future 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.