Level 3 to Help Support DIRECTV High-Definition TV Expansion

Level 3 to Help Support DIRECTV High-Definition TV Expansion

Level 3 Network Services Will Support Delivery of HDTV-Digital Channels in Local Markets Nationwide via DIRECTV

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ:LVLT), a leading provider of broadband network services, today announced that it has been selected by DIRECTV, Inc., to help provide the nationwide backbone solution, consisting of bandwidth and data center services, that will enable the expansion of DIRECTV's High Definition Television (HDTV) services.

Under the agreement, Level 3 will upgrade and augment the DIRECTV backbone to support and aggregate HDTV signals from local markets for rebroadcast to DIRECTV customers. Level 3 has worked with DIRECTV since 1999 and currently provides a substantial portion of DIRECTV's existing private line backbone that supports its standard definition television (SDTV) services.

DIRECTV, the nation's leading digital television service provider, will roll out hundreds of local and national HDTV channels over the next few years. Level 3's high-speed nationwide long-haul and metro private line backbone, wavelength services and reliable colocation facilities in key markets will provide the physical-layer redundancy, low latency, and scalability to support DIRECTV's aggressive expansion plans.

"Level 3 offers the network diversity and scalability, responsiveness and comprehensive service suite that will accommodate our aggressive expansion plans," said Don Jones, vice president and general manager of DIRECTV's Castle Rock Broadcast Center in Colorado. "Collaborating with Level 3 to help design our HDTV network ensures that we will be able to offer our customers the highest quality HDTV services available."

"DIRECTV has an ambitious timeline to complete its rollout of local HDTV, and Level 3 is in an excellent position to help make it happen," said Glenn Russo, senior vice president of network and Internet services for Level 3. "The momentum behind HDTV is accelerating and we look forward to building an infrastructure that supports the delivery of HDTV to consumers nationwide."

DIRECTV has initially acquired Level 3 services to support HDTV in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. DIRECTV's market expansion plans include acquiring Level 3 network and colocation services in 15 additional cities.

Level 3 currently provides Private Line services to DIRECTV to meet SDTV's demanding requirements for low latency, redundancy, and high-availability.

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. On October 25, 2005, Level 3 announced it signed a definitive agreement to sell (i)Structure for approximately $81.5 million. Closing is subject to certain conditions. 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. Level 3 services are offered by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Level 3 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.

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Source: Level 3 Communications

CONTACT: Media, Kirsten Hamling, +1-720-888-1946, or Sarah Rector,
+1-303-634-2674, sarah.rector@ogilvypr.com, or Investors, Robin Grey,
+1-720-888-2518, or Sandra Curlander, +1-720-888-2501, all for Level 3
Communications

Web site: http://www.softwarespectrum.com/

Web site: http://www.i-structure.com/

Web site: http://www.level3.com/

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