Süddeutsche Zeitung Selects Level 3's Content Delivery Network to Support Rapid Online Growth


LONDON, August 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Level 3 to Deliver Caching and Download Services to One of Germany's 
Leading National Newspaper Portals

Level 3 Communications' European Markets Group today announced that it
has been selected to provide content delivery services to Süddeutsche
Zeitung, one of Germany's leading national newspapers. Level 3's content
delivery network (CDN) will be used to deliver all video and pictures for the
newspaper's Web portal at http://www.sueddeutsche.de.

Under the terms of this new agreement, Level 3 will deliver caching and
download services to support ongoing demand growth at 
http://www.sueddeutsche.de. Powered by extensive content delivery
capabilities and patented technology, these services will enable the Web
portal to deliver enhanced features and content quality for online viewers.

The Web portal serves as the primary online distribution channel for the
newspaper with over 4.6 million page impressions per day. The portal includes
a wide variety of news articles, supported by video and other content-rich
features. Level 3 caching and download services will replace proprietary
technology previously developed by the newspaper. These services will allow
for faster delivery of content to a larger audience and also provide the
ability to scale rapidly in response to sudden spikes in online demand.

"We are seeing a huge increase in demand for rich media from our Web site
and need an infrastructure in place that can deliver this content in a cost
effective and scalable way," said Rainer Kerl, technical director of
Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We are very confident that Level 3's CDN platform will
deliver what we need and now feel comfortable that we have mitigated the risk
associated with large and unexpected traffic loads -- a hazard of operating
in the news sector."

Level 3 operates one of the world's leading content delivery networks,
allowing Web sites, portals and other companies to deliver high quality
digital content over the Internet without the need to invest in capital
intensive and depreciating Web hosting infrastructure. Consumers today expect
a richer online experience. Delivering content via Web portals, such as
http://www.sueddeutsche.de, that use a CDN platform offers both cost
efficiencies to the content owner and an exceptional end-user experience to
the consumer.

"Süddeutsche Zeitung operates in a content hungry marketplace that drives
large volumes of news and associated rich media content on the portal at any
given time," said James Heard, president of Level 3's European Markets Group.
"Level 3's CDN brings advanced technology and network intelligence to ensure
that content on http://www.sueddeutsche.de is delivered to meet quality
demands, address traffic surges, and scale for long-term growth in both
traffic and content volume. We are pleased to support the continued online
growth of one of Germany's largest newspapers."

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 http://www.Level3.com.

Level 3 Communications, Level 3, the red 3D brackets and the Level 3
Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications,
LLC and/or 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, product or company names recited
herein are 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 company's ability to: successfully
integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on the network; defend
intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and
services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins;
successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information
systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified
management and other personnel; 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.

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



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